Lance William Starr, 63, passed away peacefully at his home in Mount Vernon, Texas, on March 13, 2026.

Lance was born July 27, 1962, in Terrell, Texas, to Gary and Amanda Starr. Lance is survived by his son, Dustin Starr and wife Hope; his daughter, Lyndi Starr; his parents, Gary and Mandy Starr; brothers: Scott and Phil Starr; his granddaughter, Briley Starr; nephew, Jeremy Starr and his partner Jordan, and niece, Kinsey Starr and her partner Kevin; great nieces and great nephew Kieralee and Kimber Reynolds, and Guy Starr. He leaves behind many friends and loved ones who will carry forward the stories, laughter, and memories he created throughout his life.

There was a side to Lance that not many people got to see. Lance was a “Momma’s Boy” and whatever Momma or Daddy needed they got, maybe it was served with a little “smart butt”, but he always provided. They loved it when Lance would just show up with a burger for them and sat and visited as they ate the simple meal, these moments were priceless to them. Lance always made sure that if there was a need to be met, he was there. One time, in particular, Lance and his daddy volunteered and sheetrocked the Community Center at the Airport. Her heart just swelled as she watched the two work so hard. His Momma and Daddy loved him to their core, and he loved them and made sure they had everything they needed.

He took pride in his work and in the friendships, he made along the way, but make no mistake that his greatest legacy is his children.

To those who knew him best, Lance was the life of the party. He was quick witted and had a sense of humor that kept everyone smiling and laughing. His son Dustin is proof that genetics are strong. Dustin can tell the stories with all the same animation Lance did. There is nothing that Dustin cannot master. Lance passed on his ability to absorb knowledge and creativity straight to his son. Lance loved to watch Dustin sling rooster tails high as he raced the Mud Boggs, always offering unsolicited advice while Dustin nodded politely. Traits that are rare in today’s world is to be able to combine laughter, love and deep desire to learn every day, and Dustin was given that gift from him.

Lyndi his “Daddy’s Girl”, will carry with her the sight of her daddy singing to the radio as her hair blew in the wind while they drove the back roads. He would hang his elbow in his cocky way out the window, singing in perfect key to songs. Little did he know what that little girl felt as she listened and watched. Lance had a love for animals and that was what he gifted Lyndi. He was mesmerized by that child and her ability to handle horses. He supported and encouraged her to pursue that passion, and she did just that. Little did she know what he felt watching her as she went on to become the Masked Rider for Texas Tech.

His granddaughter was given many traits of Lance as well. His love of talking, stubbornness, being opinionated and telling all. Two peas in a pod and often debating who was greater. He saw all of this in her as they picked at each other and he took satisfaction that these things would live on. She was fun for him in every way.

Beyond the humor he valued time with the people he cared about and had a way of turning ordinary moments into good times and lasting memories. Like taking the back roads with Phil just to be able to talk without being interrupted (because we all know Phil is a man of few words). Or arguing with his brother Scott over things that did not amount to a hill of beans, but they had an upspoken brotherly connection.

Many people did not know that in Lance’s final years he took to reading the scriptures. He had read the Bible cover-to-cover more than once. His Bible was found open to the book of Jeremiah, the “Weeping Prophet”. Jeremiah was heart broken at the world around him and how the people would not listen and repent.

I can only imagine how he must have felt reading through these scriptures and looking at the world we are living in. In one’s mind they can see how he would reflect at how his kids were growing up in tough times, and even though some might not see him as a praying man, I would venture to say he prayed for his children as was evident by the events that transpired a few days before his passing.

A strange woman approached his son and said she was moved to tell him the Lord said “Fear not”. His daughter found an unexpected index card on her windshield with the scripture “Ephesians 6:10”. Last, a family friend received two random gifts he felt called to give Lance’s children that were ornaments with the message “I am always with you - Dad”. All of these incidents had one thing in common, they were words of encouragement. Peace is found in knowing that his loved ones will see him again.

Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

His laughter, personality, and ability to bring people together will be remembered by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Family and friends will gather to honor Lance on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Aguilar Funeral Chapel from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Aguilar Funeral Chapel at 2 p.m. Lance will be laid to rest out at the Liberty Cemetery in Purley, Texas.

There will be a luncheon for those attending the funeral on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the American Legion 1557 County Road SE 4265, Mt. Vernon, TX 75457. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that all memorial contributions be made to the Liberty Cemetery in Purley, Texas.