Joseph Starr

Joseph Starr

Joseph William Starr has assumed room temperature. He has run down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. He has ceased to be. He passed away following a brief illness. 

Born in Price, UT on May 26, 1945 to parents Alice and William John Starr and raised in the Carbon County mining town of Hiawatha, UT. Joe or “Jody” as he was then called, could often be found conducting science experiments in his bedroom laboratory or reading chemistry and physics texts just for fun. Ever the mad scientist and inventor, the family cat was even once the beneficiary of a custom parachute for floating out the third floor window. Growing up near a coal mine meant explosives were readily available and while no animals were harmed, he and his co-conspirators may or may not be responsible for a few craters in the San Rafael Swell that could be seen from, if not space, a very, very high ladder. A talented student, Joe was also in several choral groups, German club, was Science club president and an aspiring rocketeer. He was a helpful tutor for many fellow students as he would in time be for his daughters. A man of seemingly infinite knowledge and quirky interests, Joe held many careers throughout his life despite never finishing his college degree. He was a cook at the Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and Jackson Lake Lodges in the Grand Teton National Park. Once in Salt Lake City, he held jobs as a janitor, a candy maker at JG Mcdonald Chocolate Company, and then in a pivot back to his science nerd beginnings, he found himself working at the old Hansen Planetarium where he became Technical Director and Senior Designer. Later, when anyone asked what he did for a living, it was quite the project to explain. Very much an autodidact, who would read anything from college texts, mystery novels, to pantry ingredient labels, he generally settled on “kind of an engineer.” It was during his time at the planetarium that he managed to annoy the neighbors at his apartment building by using his typewriter out on the balcony at all hours of the day. One of the lucky ladies downstairs, who just happened to be from Emery county, would end up being his wife; he married Cheri Cox in her hometown of Orangeville, UT in 1970. In the early 1980s, Joe picked up and moved his wife and two daughters to Southern California for a brief stint as a Disney Imagineer, supervising the design of GE Horizons Pavilion at WDW Epcot. He next enjoyed a career in the movie business as a model maker and special effects guru extraordinaire before transitioning into the themed entertainment industry. If you’ve seen the fountains at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas or the original mechanical Energizer Bunny, you’ve seen his work. Following his first retirement, Joe and Cheri moved back to Salt Lake City. Always looking for a new adventure, Joe began working again, this time for The Leonardo Museum helping to build and install exhibits. He finally retired for good in 2013 and enjoyed a life of puttering and leisure. Chess became a particular interest, and he enjoyed bringing his board to coffee shops to challenge unsuspecting acquaintances to a friendly duel. Recently, his grandson had become a favorite opponent.

In his off time, Joe enjoyed fine woodworking and, in both dress and demeanor, he resembled a cross between Norm Abram and Al Borland. In his later years, he would pair his plaids with a distinct cowboy hat. Fashion was never his strong suit. Joe relished coming up with ridiculous stories, much to the amusement of his family and friends. The Pie Rats of Penn’s Aunts was a particular favorite and his cartoon drawing of the Lesser Moronodon was a cherished treasure. Not much for mainstream TV, he did enjoy a good French or British mystery series or the odd Monty Python sketch. Joe also enjoyed classical music and preferred to listen to his many records centered between his home-built speakers at high volume for an immersive experience. He was a talented painter, keen photographer and an all-around handyman who could fix pretty much anything, clean up and then make the family a gourmet dinner. He thankfully taught his daughters to do the same.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Cheri, who has been waiting patiently for him to join her just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

He is survived by his daughters Krysta Starr and Allison (Martin) Fisher, grandson Joshua, and sister, Sylvia Pizzuto and his favorite granddog and shadow Dewy. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Following a private family viewing interment will take place at 12:00 p.m. in the Orangeville City Cemetery. A public celebration of his life will be held in the spring. All are invited to share stories of Joe https://www.weremember.com/joseph-starr/4o8q/memories?utm_campaign=memorial_share. Arrangements are in the trusted care of McKenzie Mortuary Services in California and Fausett Mortuaries in Utah where friends are always welcome and invited to share memories online at www.fausettmortuary.com 

In lieu of flowers, Joe would have been delighted for friends to share a cup of coffee or a game of chess with one another in his honor.