Allen G. Starrette, Jr.

Allen G. Starrette, Jr., 88, of Statesville, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the Gordon Hospice House.  Born March 16, 1927, in Iredell County, he was the son of the late Allen G. Starrette, Sr. and Lula Vance Hartness Starrette.  Allen was a graduate of Scotts High School, Class of 1945, and honorably served our country during WW II in the U.S. Army.  He was married to Tressie Bowles on September 28, 1948, who survives. Following his service, he joined the family business, Starrette’s Typewriter Service, and later became Vice-President and then President of Starrette’s Office Equipment.  The business served the Statesville community for 60 years.  He was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, where he was an usher and served on the Administrative Board and was a former member and Secretary of the Statesville Moose Lodge.  Allen and family enjoyed traveling and had visited much of the United States.  One of his hobbies included radio control model airplanes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Martha Starrette and Lucille S. Outlaw; one brother, Carroll Brady Starrette; and daughter-in-law, Deborah Cothren Starrette. Allen is survived by his wife, Tressie Bowles Starrette; one son, Bryan Starrette and companion, Gina Beckham; two granddaughters, Sarah Kathryn Starrette Tucker (Dustin) and Emily Bryan Starrette.  He is further survived by sisters, Frances S. Atkins of N. Augusta, SC, Lois S. Poston, and Rachel S. Lambert (Ray), of Statesville, of Statesville, and Mirian S. Drake (Curtis) of Kinston, NC; two brothers, Richard Ray Starrette (Sandra) of Statesville and James Thomas Starrette (Ann) of Mooresville.  A number of nieces and nephews also survive. A service to celebrate Allen’s life will be conducted 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Chris Fitzgerald, Rev. David Comer, and Rev. Gary West officiating.  The family will visit with friends on Sunday at the church from 1:30 until 3:00 PM.  Burial at Iredell Memorial Gardens will be on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.