Obituary of Rocky Starr

Rocky Starr, 89, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2013 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He is now with our heavenly father in Heaven. Rocky was born in Butte, MT to John and Mary Ratkowski. He was raised in Canada. He moved to the US and joined the Army during WWII. After leaving the Army, he pursued his career in music as a singer and guitar player. He was on radio in Spokane, WA and Denver, CO and on TV on the Western Stampede show. He had a big Western swing band in Denver for many years. After retiring he moved to Post Falls, ID. After his late wife died, he pursued his passion for gospel music. He performed in churches and met his wife, Velma in Twin Falls at a local church. They moved to Arizona where Rocky connected with a cowboy minister and traveled with him singing at cowboy church at ranches, rodeo arenas, and sale barns. Rocky is survived by his wife, Velma, daughters Terry (Dick) Dixon, Jene’ Starr, and Toni (Chuck) Hoover, step-children Jim (Bridget) Baker, Jeff (Teresa) Baker and Wendy Baker, sisters Lillian Rooks, Margaret (Ed) Swanson, and Doris (Lee) Karvonen, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, son Rick Starr, daughter Judy McCormick, and 2 grandsons, John Quick, Jimmy McCormick, and his late wife, Delores Starr. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 30th at 2:00 pm at the Twin Falls Reformed church, 1631 Grandview Dr. N., Twin Falls. A reception will follow the ceremony. Donations may be made to the music ministry at Twin Falls Reformed Church. Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories at www.rosenaufuneralhome.com