Starke John Gregory

Starke John Gregory, of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away at the age of 70.

Starke was the devoted husband of Elizabeth Buermann Gregory for 47 years. He is survived by his sister Andrea Gregory-Schoen with her husband Gary of Murphys, CA. Starke was a caring and devoted father to Elizabeth Starke Puffenberger (husband Andrew Puffenberger), Kathrine Louise Bell, and Robert John Gregory (wife Amy Gregory). Starke was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Elda Gregory and stepmother Mary Jane Strattner-Gregory. He was an active grandfather to eight grandchildren (Grace Elizabeth, Emma Rose, Joshua Paul, Eric John, Timothy Robert, Abigail Kate, Christopher Thomas, Sarah Jane) and a dedicated member of Camp Hill Presbyterian Church for over 30 years.

Starke was born in Wilmington, DE and graduated from The Tatnall School in 1965 and then studied business at Indiana University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1969. From there he attended the University of Arizona, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration in 1970. He met his wife, Betsy (also of Wilmington, DE), in Arizona, and they wed at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE.

Starke started working as a salesman and was hired by DuPont in the mid-seventies and served the same electronics division, which changed ownership three times, for over 40 years. In the latter part of his career, he was the Global Contracts Manager, and was known around the world for his acute accuracy in pricing products.

As a father, Starke was thoroughly involved in his children’s lives. He loved watching them compete in many sports and was involved in starting girls’ high school soccer in the state of Delaware.

In retirement, he and Betsy spent time traveling to Alaska, Europe, Hong Kong, and Australia. Starke enjoyed playing golf when he could, even while fighting brain tumors for over two years.

His family and friends will miss his passion, generosity, and patriotism.

A celebration of Starke’s life will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 11:00a.m., at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, Camp Hill, PA. Before the service a visitation will be held at 10:00a.m. Private interment will be in Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Wilmington, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, (www.thechpc.com), 101 N. 23rd Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or to American Cancer Society, (www.cancer.org), 112 Sipe Ave, Hummelstown, PA 17036. For more information or to send messages of condolence to the family, please visit www.parthemore.com.