Mark Starr, beloved husband, father, Boo and friend, passed away Thursday, March 17 after a brief illness. Mark was born in Anchorage, Alaska to Calvin and Helen (Sullivan) Starr on October 6, 1955. Growing up in Alaska he enjoyed many outdoor adventures with his family and friends. He was 9 years old in 1964 when the Alaskan earthquake rocked Anchorage on Good Friday. Lasting over four minutes and having a 9.2 magnitude, Mark would always remember thinking “I guess this is how the world is going to be now”.
Mark graduated from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy in 1982. He decided that the beautiful State of Montana was a close second to his home state with a much more desirable climate. While visiting Helena with his friend, Wayne, he was introduced to Wayne’s cousin Debbie Copeland and a 40-year relationship began. He opened the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy at Malfunction Junction in 1983. After 5 years he realized that owning his own business didn’t leave much time to enjoy life! He began a 25-year career as a pharmacist at the VA Medical Center at Fort Harrison in 1988. Mark studied for and achieved his Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy in 2011. He made so many wonderful friends at the VA and enjoyed so many outdoor adventures with them; mountain biking, hiking, fishing and more!
On October 20, 1984 Mark and Debbie were married at the Frontier Town Chapel atop the Continental Divide outside Helena. They were blessed with one child, Christopher Starr. They enjoyed many years of travel around the world with Italy being their favorite. From scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to climbing Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska, Mark was always up for an exciting adventure!
Mark was an amazing cook and loved whipping up gourmet meals for a dinner party, weekly family dinners or just for he and Deb. He loved good wine, growing a huge vegetable garden, bird hunting, cross country skiing and Americana music. He also loved classical music and was an accomplished clarinet player playing in the Anchorage Symphony as a high schooler and in the Helena Symphony for many years. He was a voracious reader with his favorite topic being Colonial history. When Debbie asked him why he kept his current library of 40 books (and that doesn’t even count the electronic books!) on the subject, he said he still refers back to them. Mark loved learning and would always read and study before taking any trip and prior to starting any new hobby. After retiring in 2013 he decided to take up woodworking. He became very proficient and created masterpieces that will be cherished by family and friends forever. Mark and Chris loved sitting outside sharing some great bourbon and a good cigar and shooting the breeze. He was so proud of his son and the successful business he created.
On June 30, 2018 Mark took on a role that he did not expect to impact him as much as it did. From the second he held Traeger Marken Starr he was in love. He wanted to be Granddude, but Traeger had other ideas and as soon as he could talk Mark became Boo and it melted his heart!
Mark was preceded in death by his Mom and Dad, infant sister Kerry, mother-in-law Sandra Copeland, and best hunting dog Murphy.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years Debbie, his son Chris and daughter-in-law Katie, precious grandson Traeger, father-in-law Larry Copeland, best friend Wayne Schofield, and his faithful dog Moose.
Ciao Mark!
Services for Mark will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 512 Logan on Friday, March 25 at 11:00. Memorials may be sent to Prickly Pear Land Trust, PO Box 892, Helena, MT 59624.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 25, 2022
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 25, 2022
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Freddi & Mike Fiedler says
Debbie – It was always fun to see you two at church. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Latasha levengood says
Hi debbie I’m truly sorry this happened you will always be in are thoughts😢 it still doesnt seem real! Um I want you to know As it last I’m very thankful my kids got to know such an amazing person as Mark.and him being in my kids life as a great neighbor.we will miss screaming across the street saying hi mark and him saying it back also Alexis saying hi to mark 😔 ..mark you will be missed by all of us much love mark RIP !!! From the Levengood’s
Julie Strong says
Chris and family,
So sorry to hear about loss. Sending all of you lots of prayers
Ray and Rhonda says
Debbie:
Mark was so wonderful at life. Mark will be greatly missed by us all.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ray and Rhonda Dominick
Patti and Mike says
Mark always had a look about him as if he was seeing something about the world we all didn’t quite get yet. We loved his generosity of knowledge, humor, appreciation of the simple things in life. What a human! Fond memories of Italy, France, Walla Walla. Thank you so much, Debbie for sharing him.
Lynn Campbell says
Debbie, our thoughts and prayers are with, especially now! Great big hugs coming your way! Love, Lynn and Tom
Trena Kaufman says
Debbie , Chris, and family, thoughts of you all are on our minds . Hugs and prayers , peace and strength for the days ahead ! Love to you all. Mark was a great person !
Jerry &Trena Kaufman
Tom Literski says
I worked with Mark for 15 years at the VA. Mark was the best. He was always helpful and dedicated to helping the veterans. He was great to work with and was respected by all the staff and patients. He had a calm demeanor but could always be counted on to do what ever was necessary to help the patients. He was a great coworker and will be missed.
Lynn Worsech says
I am so sorry Debbie. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathleen Christianson Gliewe says
Debbie, I was so saddened to learn of the death of your husband when I happened to read the beautifully written obituary. I recognized your grandson’s terrific name from you having joyfully shared the news of his birth with those of us at Crossroads and realized that you are the Debbie who did yoga classes next to me. As Mark and I were the same age, it especially strikes me how he is gone far too soon. I hope to see you again at Crossroads when the timing is right. I once read a saying that exercise can mend a broken heart. If only that were true, but it may help a little.
Mary Yuricic says
Debbie and family I am so sorry for your loss of Mark. GOD Bless you all.
Much Love and Prayers Mary Reese Yuricic
Daniel Mack says
So sorry for your family loss. While I did not know Mark or Debbie, I did work with Chris for a time and always enjoyed his company in the restaurant trenches! One could always feel the good family energy from whence Chris came. Chris, Katie and family, I hope the memories keep as close to you as I am sure his spirit will be. “I guess this is how the world is going to be now…”
James Maher says
I was my great pleasure to have known and worked with Mark over these many years. Easy going,friendly, witty are characteristic of his many gifts given freely and generously. My condolences to his family and friends.
JimM
Fisher family says
Two years ago Mark put on hold everything he was doing and came to Washington state to say goodbye to my brother – his best friend when they were boys. He got here and just stepped in like it hadn’t been 35 years since he had seen most of my family. He was such a comfort and blessing for us and I just wanted his family to know that he was recognized for the wonderful person he was and how much he enjoyed sharing stores of them with us