Chad Starr's birthday was April 26

CHAD STARR

Nola Lucille Hopkins Starr

        Yesterday, April 26 was Chad's birthday. How old is he, well not as old as I am or Lanny. Happy Belated Birthday dear brother-in-law. Chad is Lanny's next to the youngest brother, the one who had the darkest hair, the one who looked like his mother when she was younger.  Because I found Nola's writings of her children and other relatives interesting, I thought my children and grandchildren would enjoy reading about their uncles, aunts, great-greatfathers, great-grandmothers, etc.   This profile of Chad is about his childhood, adolescent years and early adulthood and is taken from his mother writings. Sit back and enjoy her words.

        "Chad C. Starr was born on Tuesday, April 26, 1949 in Tremonton, to Carl Henry and Nola Hopkins Starr. He was the fifth child and third son. He had black hair and blue eyes, his eyes later turned hazel. Right from a very young age Chad was a tease, and also liked to argue. If someone would say something was black he would say it was white and people would argue with him just for the fun of it. Grandpa Starr and Aunt Lois were prime targets for this arguing. They would say something to get him started just for the fun of it.

        According to his baby book, “At three Chad was a cute little “imp” full of mischief, very loving, goes to his own class in Sunday School and Primary, memorizes easily, loves to sing, and loves to play cowboy. He knows all the cowboys on television by name, costume, number of guns, etc.”

         When Chad was three the children in the family received a Shetland pony for Christmas which they named “Bunny.” All spent many happy hours riding her.

You know which one is Lanny

         Chad had really enjoyed Bunny until one day while Chad was still pretty young, he and Curt rode her and a big branch knocked Chad off as the horse ran under the tree. He figured Bunny had bucked him off and for a long time he wouldn't ride, but he finally began to ride again.

         Chad was always a dog lover from the time he was small. His dad usually saw that there was a dog around.
         Chad loved to read and to draw. He was a pretty good artist. He was also good at writing little stories and poems and he loved to sing too. Chad loved art in school and won prize ribbons at the county fair each year while in grade school. He also submitted pictures to the Utah Farm magazine, had them published and received a dollar as prize money.
        As he progressed in school he took an active part. He love to “clown” on programs and was noted for the pantomimes that he did. When April Fools Day came along he always dressed up in a comical costume enjoying the laughter it brought.
        Chad attended school in the brick school house at Plymouth his first five years, then went to Fielding by bus his sixth year when the Plymouth school was closed down. On the program the last day of school at Plymouth Chad and Curt put on an original act. The town was depicted as dying since the school and the church had both been moved away. They had pasteboard tombstones marked with the names of various students. They would pretend to be burying them and give comic reasons why each had died. At the end they jumped in and covered themselves up.

        In Jr. High Chad began playing the clarinet. He belonged to both the Junior High and High School bands during his school years, and marched in many parades with them and participated in many school concerts. However he was more interested in the guitar and was really happy when his dad bought him a guitar and amplifier. He had a lesson or two and then taught himself to play.  Every time he entered the house the family knew the walls would soon be “jumping” with his music. He sang and played on ward programs such as road shows, etc.

        During his growing up years Chad and his brothers played lots of baseball, basketball, and football, either at home or down on the old school lawn. Chad also played on some of the church teams in the Belmont ward, being on a winning softball and basketball team.

        Among memories of growing up are camping trips to the canyon and fishing trips. The family took tents, bedding, and food and usually went to Logan Canyon. One trip was made out west in Box Elder County. Here Chad recalls getting too far out on a limb over the water and having it break and tumble him into the icy cold water. Chad really loved to fish, and had more patience for it than the other boys. He could stay at it ever so long while the others would tire if the fish weren't biting well.
        When the children were small, Grandma kept bananas on hand, and whenever they came over she would give them one. Soon it seemed Chad always choked up and became croupy, and the family would hurry home. Finally he got to where his eyes and nose would swell up terribly and he would gasp for breath. He was allergic to bananas and had to quit eating them. Even the tinniest sliver of a banana would bring on a choking, gasping spell and swell him up until he could hardly be recognized.
        Chad also suffered from hay fever and could not work in the hay for his dad or for Grandpa Starr and John as his brothers did. Nor milk the family cow. He took a lot of ribbing from his brothers for it too.
        When Chad was in his junior year at high school, he got a part time job evenings after school at the Utah Idaho Sugar Co in Garland during sugar campaign. He held this job his senior year also. The summer after his junior year he was hired as a summer employee in the sugar room. From then on he worked every summer, as well as after noon and night shifts after school all the way through college.
        During his school years Chad often made the honor roll. He belonged to the school band, was sport's editor of the school paper, wrote sport's articles for the Tremonton Leader, played the part of Mr. Lionel in the school play, and won a scholarship in journalism to the Utah State University.
        Chad was always active in Plymouth and Belmont wards in church. He taught a Sunday School class, was a ward teacher, sang with the choir some, was an M.I.A. Counselor, and participated in several road slows. He earned several Individual awards, and received his Duty to God award. He held various priesthood and Seminary offices.
        Chad entered Utah State University majoring in journalism, drama, and speech. He did his student teaching at Bear River High and Jr. High. Chad was married to a girl from his hometown, LeAnn Hess. The following year a little daughter, Racquel Ann, came to bless their home. She was followed by Shelby Chad, Brian and Eric. 

Carl Starr, Chad's father

        After graduation from college Chad was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, having completed 4 years of R.O.T.C. Training while in school. He reported to Fort Gordon, Georgia on Feb 16, 1972 in the Signal Corp Division. He was last of the five male members of his family to serve in the army, his dad and 3 brothers having preceded him.
        Chad's family joined him at Fort Gordon. Later they transferred to New Jersey, then Fort Lewis in Washington, and at this writing are in Germany for a tour of duty."
        Update: Chad completed the public affairs officer course at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, and received a master's degree from the Golden Gate University, San Francisco. He and his family spent time in Korea where his children attended school. During his years in the military he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He eventually retired from the military.  At present Chad and his wife, Sandy, are living in Texas. They are surrounded by lots of family who love them and I understand that Sandy has a new granddaughter. Congratulations you two and once again Happy Birthday to a distinguished looking fellow. Takes after his oldest brother!

Chad and Sandy