STARR, THOMAS L. AND MILDRED L. (MILLER)

by Thomas Lyle Starr

Entry F405 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Thomas Lyle Starr Family, April 3, 1983. Debra Bryner, Belinda Daly,
Tom Jr., Wanda, Mildred and Thomas Lyle.

Thomas Lyle Starr born July 13, 1917, the
fifth son of Albert and Lula (Payne) Starr,
lived on a ranch in Cherry Co. where he
received an eighth grade education.

Boarding with Floyd Pools, Gina Andrews,
and Art Jacobsen in Mullen, Thomas Lyle
attended high school where he graduated in
1935.

He returned to the ranch to help with the
ranch work. Wanting something to do during
the long winter evenings, he took up Croche-
ting and made 2 bedspreads and a table cloth.

The ranch was divided in 1950 between
Albert, Leonard and T.L. T.L. moved to
Mullen with his parents where he lived until
marrying Mildred Lois Miller of Elkhart,
Texas in 1952. Having a hired man on the
ranch at that time, we built a 3 bedroom home
at 608 West 1st in Mullen.

T.L. took up carpenter work first as a
helper then got busy building houses, busi-
nesses and lots of remodeling. Businesses
included Post Office, Tribune, Mullen
Hardware and Lucy's. Remodeling Duttons
grocery into Rustic Restaurant and Lounge.

In 1960 leased out the ranch first to Leigh
Warner of Cimarron, Kansas then to LaVern
Dent in 1965, so could spend more time in the
carpenter business. In 1963 built a 5 bedroom
home at 506 West 3rd for the family of 3 girls
and 1 boy. Belinda Kay 1954, Debra JOyce
1955, Wanda Jean 1957, and Thomas Lyle Jr.
1959. Did most of the work on the house
ourselves.

In 1965 bought a travel trailer in order to
take the family more places. In 1969 bought
a Class A motor home and made an eight
week trip to Alaska and several western
states.

In 1978 we made a People to People trip
to Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong; and
Canton, Hangchow, Shanghai, and Peking
China. We were in Peking when normaliz-
ation was announced between United States
and China.

Visiting Belinda, William C., Trevor Allen,
and Travis Tyler Daly in Soual Korea in 1984
where they were stationed. William (Bill) is
now aboard the Ranger Aircraft carrier based
out of San Diego, California where the family
now lives.

Debra married Robert Rice and they have
2 girls Rebecca Dawn and Tammy Jane.
Divorced she married Dwain Karl Bryner and
they have a son Kory Dean. They live in
North Platte, Nebraska where they have a
Landscaping and Sod Farm business.

Wanda, John P. and son Albert John (A.J.)
Wilde live in Phoenix, Arizona.

Thomas Lyle Jr. and Christine Hope
(Delich) live in Lincoln, Nebraska. T.L.
crocheted a tablecloth in winter of 85-86
which Tom and Christine used on gift table
at their wedding August 1986.

In winter of 86-87 T.L. crocheted a bed-
spread in 98 days while recouping from
surgery. The bedspread got "Best in County"
at the Hooker County fair 1987.

Mildred likes to spend time sewing, knit-
ting, tatting and cameo painting.

We do as much camping as can belonging
to 2 camping clubs.

we are members of United Methodist
Church.

T.L. is a Mason where he has served as
Master twice. We are members of Eastern
Star where we are Worthy Matron and
Worthy Patron for the second time first in
1982 now 1987.