James Marvin Starr, Sr.

James Marvin Starr, Sr. age 84 of Cumming, Georgia went to be with the Lord on July 25, 2022. 

Marvin had a lifetime love for the Lord and devotion to his Christian faith and is a member of Concord Baptist Church. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on April 3, 1938 to the late Waldo Bowden Starr of Lithonia, GA and Anna Hazel McElheney Starr of Monticello, GA. 

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marie Bowden Starr Zeller of Jacksonville, FL; his brother, Conson Wilson Starr of Conyers, GA and his grandparents, Ira Marvin Starr Sr. and Mary Pauline Bowden Starr of Lithonia, GA and James Herbert McElheney and Ethel Mae Polk McElheney of Monticello, GA. 

Marvin is survived by Mildred Gay Blackwell Starr, his loving and devoted wife of 62 years. Gay was his high school sweetheart and they were married on August 15, 1959. Marvin is also survived by his son, James Marvin Starr, Jr. (Chip) of Cumming, GA and his daughter and son in-law, Holly Marie Starr Styles and Randy Styles of Cumming, GA, as well as, his three loving grandchildren who were the joys of his heart, Hannah Marie Styles Conrad and Mike Conrad, Heather Nicole Styles and Harrison Starr Styles and Emily Styles all of Cumming, GA.  

Marvin grew up in Dekalb County, Georgia attending Lithonia Elementary, Lithonia High School and graduating from Avondale High School in 1956. He was an outstanding athlete in high school, playing football, basketball and baseball. He received an athletic scholarship to Furman University to play quarterback on the football team. While at Furman he played football and ran track. At one time Marvin held the Furman University track record for running the fastest 100 yard dash. 

Marvin graduated from Furman University in 1960 with a degree in Business Administration and Economics. He was a member of the local chapter of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation he earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served his country proudly for 12 years on active and reserve duty before leaving the Army with the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged in 1972. 

In 1961 Marvin started his business career as a loan officer with Decatur Federal Savings and Loan in Decatur, GA. He was a Division Vice President in charge of all loan operations when he left in 1973. He held a Real Estate Broker’s license and worked in several areas of Real Estate. In 1975 he opened up the state of Georgia for Republic Mortgage Insurance Company (RMIC) as a Vice President to sell mortgage guaranty insurance to banks and savings and loans. He worked for 24 years with RMIC before retiring in 1999.

Marvin’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. He loved to vacation with the family in Destin, Florida and Sky Valley, Georgia. Marvin was an avid fisherman and hunter. He learned to fish and hunt at an early age from his grandfather, Ira Marvin Starr, Sr. He loved fishing and hunting with his son, Chip Starr and grandson, Harrison Starr Styles. Marvin was a member of the Eastside Fishing Club in Darien, Georgia and a property owner member and Director of Fort Barrington Club in Darien, Georgia since 1967. 

A private funeral service was held by the family on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at Ingram Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Reverend Paul Bagley. Interment followed at Sawnee View Gardens.    

Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA is in charge of arrangements