Gary Starr:
CLASS OF 1973
Lyman High SchoolClass of 1973
Longwood, FL
Gary's Story
I imagine that when we graduated from Lyman in 1973, we had hopes and dreams of what our futures would be like. Some perhaps had specific plans to accomplish those dreams while others had a broad outline of what the future might hold instore. I was part of the latter group. I know of no life plan that is perfectly executed and mine is no exception. I believe however, I could not have scripted my life much better than how it has turned out.
I entered UCF in the fall of 1973 with a dream of a career in the medical field. One summer I took a medical technology class where we learned to draw blood on actual patients at a hospital. I quickly realized this was not for me and dropped the course after the second week. I then switched my major to something as far from medicine and blood as I could think of…political science. Little did I know that bloodletting was more severe in politics than in medicine (figuratively of course!) Political science was still a good liberal arts degree though.
During my life’s journey I married Alicia Harper (Lyman Class of ’72). We met at Publix where we both worked shortly before I graduated UCF. Alicia and I celebrated our 43rd anniversary this year. She’s a wonderful partner in life and after all this time together still laughs at my jokes, well, most of the time. When we married, Alicia had a son from a previous marriage, and we have a son together. Our two sons grew into loving, decent and responsible men who have families of their own. We have 7 grandchildren total including step-grandchildren. Our sons and their families are a jo...Expand for more
y and blessing. The oldest son lives in the same city as we do-Cape Coral, FL. The younger son lives with his family in Peoria, AZ.
Since graduating, I served 8 years in the Army, 5 years active duty and the rest in the active Army Reserve. While on active duty with 101st Airborne Division at Ft Campbell, Kentucky, I attended Murray State University part-time to obtain a graduate degree in Management. After a leaving the Army, I had a few jobs, including a stint as an apparel manager at Kmart. I don’t miss Kmart but I do miss the blue light specials! I eventually landed a position in claims with State Farm Fire and Casualty. I retired in 2017 from State Farm claim management after 31 years of service.
The latter half of my career with State Farm was spent serving on the catastrophe response team. I was gone periodically throughout the year, depending on when and where I was needed. I was in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Lake Charles for Hurricane Rita and in the northeast for Superstorm Sandy. Of course, I experienced Hurricane Charlie firsthand when it came through our area on the west coast of Florida. I worked in 38 states during my time on the response team. Perhaps one day I’ll visit the other 12 states, this time for leisure!
Now that I am retired, I am glad not be traveling too much, except to see the family in Arizona. I spend my time in retirement catching up on home projects and spending time with family. I trained in and helped teach karate for a little while. I foresee some golf lessons and maybe a photography course sometime in my future!!
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