Ted Duncan Starnes

Ted Duncan Starnes, 81, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Hendrick Medical Center. Born in Houston, Texas on July 5, 1933, Ted was the son of Willow Drue (Garner) and Rufus G. Starnes, Sr. Reared in Abilene, Texas, he was a 1951 graduate of Abilene High School and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Abilene Christian College in 1955. Ted was a U.S. Army veteran, having served his country from 1955 to 1957. On July 5, 1957, Ted married Beverley Rose Camp in Abilene. In 1961 he completed his Master of Arts Degree from Pepperdine College in Los Angeles, California, and earned a Doctor of Education Degree in 1982 from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. Ted was Director of Theatre at Pepperdine University (1961 to 1970), joined the Theater Faculty at Abilene Christian University (1970 to 1976), and returned to Pepperdine University as Director of Theater (1976 to 1979). In 1987 he became the Director of University Events at ACU, a position he held until his retirement in 1999. After retirement, Ted enjoyed working part-time at The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Professional memberships included Texas Education Theater Association, Association of Collegiate Conference and Events, and Directors-International. He was a member of Hillcrest Church of Christ in Abilene. Ted was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Rufus G. Starnes, Jr. and his wife, Alicia Starnes; two sisters, Yvonne Starnes Smith and her husband, Roger Smith, Elaine Starnes Bryant and her husband Jack Bryant. Survivors include his wife, Beverley Starnes of Abilene; two sons, Thomas Duncan Starnes of Abilene, and Robert Mac Starnes, his wife Tracy, and their children, Blake Hampton and Brynn Starnes of Keller, Texas; a granddaughter, Jennifer Shay Starnes; and a brother, Mac D. Starnes of Sugar Land, Texas. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler, with Terry Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2019 at the funeral home. Memorials may be given in Ted's honor to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.