Starbuck, Jerry Thomas

Jerry Thomas Starbuck, 79, of Solon, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at Iowa City Rehabilitation and Health Care Center after a long illness. The family will receive relatives and friends at Lensing Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. Jerry's funeral will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, with military honors, at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Jerry Starbuck memorial fund. A grove of trees will be planted in his memory at F.W. Kent Park.

Jerry was born on June 19, 1932, in Moline, Ill., the only child of Elwood (John) and Marion (Davies) Starbuck. After graduation from East Moline High School in 1950, he joined the Army and served in the Korean conflict as a proud member of the 96th Field Artillery Battalion during his service. Upon return from service, he was employed by Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric (Mid-American) as a meter reader and retired 39 years later as a technician in the gas department. Jerry also co-owned the Lazy Leopard Lounge from 1973 to 1975.

Jerry loved nature - animals, trees, plants, rocks and waterways. You could always find him planting, mowing, feeding the wild creatures and fishing anywhere he might find a bite. He also served 15 years on the Johnson County Conservation Board, and was instrumental in the building of the Conservation Education Center at F.W. Kent Park and the Sutliff Access. He enjoyed all types of music, especially Dixieland Jazz and attended every Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival until his illness in 2005. He was an avid fan of the Hawkeyes, Bears, Cubs and Dale Earnhardt.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 28 years, Linda; and his children, Debra (Richard Foster) of Oxford, and her mom, Karen Verry, Robb Starbuck of Olin, and NIki of Punta Gorda, Fla., and their mom Kay Brant; grandchildren, Corey, Eric, Robb (Lindsay), Tiffany (Tony Johnson), Ryan (Amy) and Kyle; and nine great-grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughter, Taylor; and his beloved Weimaraner, Rommel.

Jerry was always the life of the party and full of never-ending jokes and pranks. He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed.

Online condolences and memories may be directed to .