John Lynch Starcke

We bid a loving farewell to John Lynch Starcke, a man devoted to family and a true friend, who departed from this world on April 2, 2025, at the age of 84.

John was born into a proud family heritage. He loved recounting tales about his well-known grandparents, Lalla Nolte Starcke and Hilmar Hugo Starcke, from the early 1900s when Seguin was just beginning to flourish. He was extremely proud of his home that was built by his great-grandfather, Max Starcke, because of the towering live oak known as the Charter Oak, in his backyard.

John was born on June 28, 1940, to a mother whose idea of the perfect life was to be a good mother. She succeeded brilliantly. His brother, Edgar Nolte Starcke, Jr., was quite the rambunctious kid. John was the quieter of the two. He was not without his surprising moments, however. He loved spiders, snakes, and creatures that most mothers would not tolerate in their homes. One day his pet tarantula escaped. Unlike most mothers, Geraldine took it all in stride telling John to put it back in the aquarium.

He loved chemistry and performed experiments at home. His mother accepted the occasional “boom” that exploded throughout the neighborhood. When he entered Seguin High School (Joe F. Saegert Junior High now), he acquired an old 1927 Model T Ford which he rebuilt that became his official “runabout”. His classmates voted him “most witty” his senior year and was known for his love of performing magic tricks at parties and events. During his high school years he was a member of the Seguin High School Marching Band where he played alto saxophone and was on the golf team for three years. As a 1958 graduate, he loved rock ‘n’ roll. Jon believed that the music of the fifties was the best out there.

His senior year of high school, John decided to study law. He attended the University of Texas and upon graduation in 1962, he enrolled in the prestigious University of Texas Law School. Upon passing the bar in 1966, he began his practice commuting between Seguin and New Braunfels. In criminal cases, he counseled his clients to develop a plan for their future. He was designated a Distinguished Peer Rated Attorney for his very high ethical standards based upon the reviews of his clients and peers. As a result, John was appointed a district judge for several years in Selma. Even though law enforcement officers and the public wanted him to remain in office, after two terms he decided to return to private practice.

While in high school, John developed a lifelong long love of “Old Hollywood” after spending afternoons attending the movie matinees at the Texas Theater with his brother. Back then, it only cost a nickel to spend hours being entertained with cartoons, previews, shorts, and the movie. He loved Hollywood of the 1930s and ‘40s. His passion for movie memorabilia was shared with his brother, Ed Starcke, Jr. They would often fly to Hollywood and attend the annual reunion of actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood and after attending several years and meeting so many stars, they were placed on the official guest list. Sometimes they were invited to their homes or they became pen-pals. His memories of his friendships with his favorite stars recalled the glamour of a bygone era.

John loved Art Deco architecture. His favorite buildings in Guadalupe County were the courthouse and public buildings at Starcke Park because of their Art Deco touches.

John also loved, absolutely loved, early 20th century homes. He would ride around with friends in Seguin and Gonzales and rhapsodize over the architecture. One of his friends who, if given the opportunity of entering one of these homes for sale, would find an unlocked door or window and enter. As John was standing outside, he would state all the laws that were being broken and not to call on him to get her out of jail. After this serious admonition, he would yell, “What does the inside look like? Take pictures!”

He loved antique firearms. John could recount every firearm and its history that was used in Texas from 1832 until the early 1900s. Famous Texas guns, like the Colt Paterson revolver of the Texas Rangers and John Wesley Hardin's guns, fascinated him. He delved into the history of guns and knew every story or rumor about them.

He was extremely close to his brother his entire life and this bond was not broken until his brother passed away two years ago. John was a fixture at his brother’s home when Edgar lived in Seguin, and when Edgar’s wife, Margie, gave birth to a little girl, Barbara, “Uncle John” became wrapped around her little finger. He often stated that two great things happened in 1966: he passed the bar and Barbara was born. He considered her the daughter he never had. When his brother passed away, Barbara was his strength, his anchor. It was at this time that he found a new interest to pull him out of his loss: volunteering at the Seguin Heritage Museum where he shared his knowledge of Seguin and Guadalupe County history. He knew the history of well-known Seguin families: the Noltes, the Hollamons, the Blumbergs, just to name a few. One of his contributions to the museum was his ability to identity individuals in the historical photo archives and tell their stories. He made many friends at the museum and they will never forget him for his contributions and friendship.

There are not enough words to describe the grief and sense of loss his passing has created, but John would not want the people who he loved to feel this way. He would want them to remember the values he thought were important: love of family, friends, and country. God bless you, John Starcke, for coming into our lives and making us better for knowing you.

John was preceded in death by his Father, Edgar Nolte Starcke, Sr. and his Mother, Geraldine Lynch Starcke; his brother Edgar Nolte Starcke, Jr., and his wife, Margie Schwartz Starcke of Houston; grandparents Lalla Nolte Starcke and Hilmar Hugo Starcke of Seguin. He is survived by cousins Hilmar Hugo Starcke, III, and Frank Xavier Starcke of Seguin; niece Barbara Claire Starcke Yoas and her husband, Tim Yoas of Austin; grand-niece Allyson Yoas of Austin; nephew John C. Starcke and his wife, Jenny Fratcher Starcke of Nolensville, TN; and grand-nephew and grand-niece, Will Starcke and Lauren Starcke of Knoxville, TN.

The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Goetz Funeral Home with the Graveside Service following at San Geronimo Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Seguin Heritage Museum, 114 N. River St. Seguin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Seguin Heritage Museum in John’s honor. https://www.seguinheritagemuseum.org/