Lloyd Elwood Starn was born on December 21, 1931 in Hughson, CA, to Art and Ruth Starn. After a battle with cancer, he died peacefully at his home on February 11, 2021, with Marie, his wife of 68 years, by his side. He was a devoted man of God, a faithful husband, a wonderful provider to his family, and strong father to three daughters and one son. He prayed for his children and grandchildren every day!
Lloyd was raised on a peach ranch in Hughson, CA. He attended the local grammar and high school. In high school he was active in school leadership and sports, with a particular love for football. He was very active in FFA where his love of the dairy business began. Starting at a young age, he would milk and feed his few cows each day before school and repeat this routine later in the day.
Lloyd married Lela Marie Haile of Denair in 1952. He loved her so much that he proposed to her on Valentines Day the day before he was to join the navy. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and spent tours on the USS Boxer and the USS Yorktown, where he worked as an airplane mechanic.
Lloyd and Marie moved to Turlock in 1961 to begin a career in the dairy business, and the Starn Jerseys dairy was launched on the corner of Tegner and Fulkerth Roads in Turlock. Six years later they purchased 50 acres at the corner of Fulkerth and Mitchell Roads where the family lived for over 30 years.
Lloyd focused the genetics of his herd for top milk production and through detailed breeding traits developed a top producing herd of Jerseys. He was honored by the national magazine “Hoards Dairyman” in an article about the Select Sires group in the Turlock/Hilmar area. Lloyd’s herd was rated #3 in the nation for rolling herd average for milk production. In 1996 one of his cows was a National Grand Champion. He also raised a bull that was awarded recognition for being in the top 10 in the world.
The Starn Jerseys dairy sponsored several soccer and little league teams over the years. Lloyd served on the Chatom School Board, was one of the original dairies to sell milk to Hilmar Cheese, and was voted Agricultural Man of the Year by the Turlock Chamber of Commerce in 1976.
Lloyd was elected to the Turlock Irrigation District Board of Directors in 1971 where he served for 20 years, including serving as President of the Board. He received many commendations during his tenure, and he and Marie attended many conventions around the United States with the TID Board members during his terms.
Lloyd attended Turlock Covenant Church for most of his life, where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, served on the Board and assisted in the ESL classes offered at the church.
The family took many trips to enjoy their cabin at the Mission Springs Conference Center in Scotts Valley CA. It was fondly named the Starn Hus, and the family spent many summers there. Other family trips were to Sunriver, Oregon, Maui, New York City and Seattle.
In the early 1990’s Lloyd sold his herd but continued to live on the property so that he could enjoy the cows without having to do the work. After a few more years he sold the property to a neighboring farmer. Lloyd and Marie then moved into “town”, where they lived for sixteen years at their beautiful home on the east side of Turlock, enjoying the swimming pool and having the grandkids over frequently to swim, BBQ and eat home-made ice cream. In 2016 they decided to make the move to Covenant Living where he resided at the time of his passing.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Art and Ruth Starn, his brothers Donald and Richard Starn and sister Marilyn Crum. Survived by his wife Marie Starn, daughters Dorinda (Dave) Soiseth, Danette (Pete) Peterson, Julie (Gogio) Cannizzaro and son Dan (Mary) Starn, sister Dorothy (Neale) Johnson, eight Grandchildren and three Great-grandchildren. Dad, you were a man of great integrity and we are honored to call you our Husband, Father, Papa and Big-Papa. Lloyd was longing for and is now enjoying the presence of his Lord Jesus and will throughout eternity. His desire is for all to come to a saving relationship in Christ. The family services will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to the Mission Springs Conference Center, 1050 Lockhart-Gulch Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, or online at https://www.missionsprings.com/. Please share your memories at www.AllenMortuary.com.
