Stacy Lee Starke

Stacy Lee Starke, 58, passed away on September 27, 2022, in Kissimmee, Florida, after over a month in intensive care. He was married to Abigail Joy Mininger Starke for 17 years. Born in Hopewell, Virginia, he was the son of Elizabeth Anne Pelter Starke and James Otis Starke. As a teenager he worked with his uncle and his dad in their tire business and helped pump gas. He was skilled at measuring and enjoyed building some furnishings. He liked driving and fixing vehicles and was a big fan of Fords and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. When Stacy had just turned 19, he was the passenger in a car accident, resulting in his becoming a quadriplegic, paralyzed from his chest down, and changing the direction of the rest of his life. Eventually he moved to Ocoee, Florida, to live with his mother and later with his brother Kelly Starke. He earned an Associate in Arts degree from Valencia Community College, Orlando, Florida. He learned how to drive a specially adapted vehicle, with a joy stick instead of a steering wheel. He worked at the Center for Independent Living and bought a house in Kissimmee. After his marriage to Abigail, they briefly ran a Sunny Day Sno-Cone business at community events. He worked in customer service for Walt Disney World at the Orlando International Airport for 14 years until the Covid pandemic layoffs. Most recently he was employed as a greeter at Sea World's Aquatica Waterpark. Along with Abigail, Stacy traveled to Tallahassee some years ago to speak to a special session of the Florida Congress and with various government officials to promote funding for assistance for disabled people with their personal and household needs so they could work instead of being on disability and government assistance. That meeting led to funding of J-PPAS personal assistant program, under which, after various transitions with Stacy's helpers, Abigail was eventually compensated to serve his many needs. A devout Christian, Stacy was a member of Lake Sherwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Orlando, where he served as an usher, known for his friendly, cheerful, gentle, and caring manner, despite the many struggles that accompanied his nearly 40 years of paralysis as a quadriplegic. At a previous church where he had been part of the singles ministry, he helped in the nursery and the substance abuse program. At home he enjoyed enlisting people to make improvements on his house and vehicles. He will be remembered for being faithful to his friends, a giving person, uncomplaining about his ailments and his limitations. He cared well for Abigail, teaching her many things, praying with her, guiding and protecting her. Stacy is survived by his wife Abigail Starke, his brother Gary Starke, his nieces Ashley Starke and Samantha Starke, his nephew Lucas Starke, and his dog Brindie. He was predeceased by his mother and father and his brother Kelly Starke. Visitation and viewing will be held on Monday, October 10, 2022, from 4 to 6 pm at Funeraria Borinquen, 2360 Michigan Avenue, Kissimmee, Florida, followed by the funeral service there at 6 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lake Sherwood Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 770957, Winter Garden, Florida, 34777, memo line: "Deacon Starke Fund."

Stacy Lee Starke

March 15, 1964 - September 27, 2022