Arlo LeNoir Starnes, 93, formerly of Avondale, Missouri, passed peacefully February 15, 2023 at Pleasant Valley Manor Care Center with his loving son and daughter-in-law by his side.
Arlo was born June 3, 1929 in Lyons, Nebraska, the oldest of three children of Samuel and Clyola Cook Starnes. He graduated from Summersville High School in 1947. During the summer after graduation, Arlo worked in Laramie, Wyoming at a logging camp, and had wonderful memories of that time that he liked to share.
On September 11, 1948, Arlo was united in marriage to Freda May Lee in Willow Springs, Missouri. They were blessed with three children, Judy Katherine, Charlotte Gail, and Gary Arlo. The family resided for a short time in Springfield and then Unionville, Missouri, where Arlo worked at K & P Dairy and then moved to Kansas City where Arlo worked for the Ford Motor Company in Claycomo in different capacities until 1985. He was proud of the fact that from 1952 to 1956, he helped build B52 bomber wings for use during the Korean War. After retiring from the Ford Motor Company, Arlo enjoyed working part-time as a courier for Thoroughbred Ford in Kansas City North.
After the death of Freda in November of 1983, Arlo married a friend and fellow church member, Lois Battiest, on August 18, 1984. They were united in marriage at Harmony Free Will Baptist Church and shared nearly 36 years together joyfully serving in the church, traveling, and spending time with friends, family, and Arlo’s singing group, God’s Country.
In his spare time, Arlo loved studying and teaching the Bible, playing guitar and singing country gospel music, going to country gospel concerts, and volunteering at North Kansas City Hospital. Most importantly, being with family and his friends brought abundant joy. In recent years at Pleasant
Valley Manor Care Center, Arlo especially loved laughing and visiting with family and friends and the compassionate care that the staff provided. Each person who entered his room was always greeted with a big smile and a twinkle in his eye.
Along with his parents, Arlo was preceded in death by his wife, Freda; his wife, Lois; brothers-in-law, Emmett Bradford and Erwin Rice, step-daughter, Sandy Battiest, and step-son-in-law, Rupe Klein.
Survivors include his children, Judy Bowen (Terry), Charlotte Wooderson (Joe), and Gary Starnes (Becky); step-children Dane Battiest (Cathy), Darlene Sherman (Dave), Lorraine Klein, Ginny Battiest, and Karen Battiest; sisters, Beth Bradford and Kaye Rice; grandchildren, Jonathan Bowen (Brooke), Mindy Bowen, Caleb Wooderson (Kara), Jared Wooderson (Kari), Luke Starnes, Jeremy
Sherman, Alysia Bond (Kyle), Chris Battiest (Dani), Angela Battiest, Sara Battiest, Laura Klossner (Greg), Rupert, Tyler, Megan, Dustin and Abby Klein, and Adam Battiest; 18 great-grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Pleasant Valley Care Manor Center and Ascend Hospice caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Pleasant Valley Manor Care Center.
