Jerry Starling Memorial Fund

I met the Starlings for the first time in 1986.  Jerry was the youth pastor at my church, and I have so many great youth group memories.

My family didn't have a lot of financial resources growing up... Jerry cared so much about making sure that my sisters and I got to participate in youth events and summer camps.  He helped us with fundraisers, and scholarships, and I'm sure many times, donating from his own pocket so that we were included.

When you've given to the least of these...
Over the last 25 years, I've watched this man give, and give, and give.  Slipping money to families in need at church, giving "deals" to his friends to help them out with their cars (he built hot rods and was a total car guy, if you didn't get the memo), rounding up young people to help families move, making sure Nicole and the kids had everything they needed. 

He gave my friend, Josh, an incredible performing musician in Oklahoma City, his first pro keyboard when he was 16 so he could lead worship for the youth group.

He had a roll of bills in his pocket that I swear was just for his convenience, to make it easier for him to take care of people.  I never saw him spending money on himself.  I don't think he really wanted anything.

If he heard of someone in need and it was within his power to do something about it, he gave.  He made phone calls, offered time and money for people to "pay back later," keeping no record of who-owed-what.  And he didn't talk about it.  Not even to Marlene and Nicole ... Nicole has constantly told me stories of the random ways she's found out that her dad did something for someone.

... you've given to me
In 1989, my Grandfather passed away after a long battle with cancer, and as you can imagine, our family was devestated.  Pastor Jerry was our rock ... I remember him pulling me out of class at Daystar Christian School when I was 14 years old to tell me the news, and he took me to my family, shepherded all of us through the devestation of losing our beloved Patriarch.  

The funeral service was so holy ... I actually remember it ... the only funeral service I remember, ever.  He shared the things about my Grandfather (who loved God so much) that deeply touched him and changed him, and created this beautiful space for all of us to celebrate my Grandfather and to be nourished by each other. 

When I moved to Nashville, I kinda liked dropping to my new church friends that I grew up in Jerry Starling's youth group.  EVERYONE loved Jerry, his big heart and his hotrods!  To the dudes, he was a wonder, a legend.

Then there was the time that Jerry found out I was passing through town and he wanted me to see Nicole perform.  So he had them delay the departure of the Showboat Branson Belle so that I could see Nicole shine. At it was so fun!  He just beamed, watching her.  I did, too.  So proud of my sweet Nicole.

And I love that man.

I remember the look on Jerry's face at Nicole's wedding ... the way he lit up when she walked into the room.  The huge smile he'd get around his grandchildren, and they way they adored him and wanted to tell him everything.  

Jerry lived for his family.  Marlene and Nicole and the grandkids made him happy.

The day everything changed
When I found out last summer that Jerry had been in a terrible accident, I felt horrified for him, so devestated for Marlene and Nicole!  I stopped by Branson on my way home from Nashville to see him.  Marlene was doing her best to take care of her boss and work responsibilities while also being with Jerry and wrapping her head around everything that she was going to have to manage logistically and financially to navigate the storm.

Does this woman sleep?! (Yes... I marvelled.  Marlene is a wonder.)

I am so inspired by the STRENGTH and the GIVE and the LOVE of this family!  I can't imagine what the last 8  months or so have been like for Marlene and Nicole as they've walked through the recovery process with Jerry, who was unable to go back to work to provide for them.  And then to get the stage IV cancer diagnosis ... the grim prognosis after the unbelievable energy expended on this scary recovery from the auto accident; my heart along with yours has broken for them so many times!

Now it's our turn
In the face of this trial, without the benefit of Jerry's income, Marlene has had to cover both the cancer treatments (nearly $30,000) and the funeral expenses (nearly $10,000) for Jerry, while making a reduced living herself because the demands for his care have been so overwhelming.

I feel honored to give back to this amazing family.  I'm not sure how I could ever really repay the Starlings for their give into my life!  I hope you will join me in doing what you can to make sure that Marlene is able to get through this challenging time spiritually, emotionally and financially.  Jerry is the most generous man I have ever known, and it seems fitting to honor and celebrate his life by GIVING!