Beloved professor dies of cancer

Students, faculty share memories of his educational, personal impact 

Dr. John Starkey, religion professor, died of cancer Jan. 11 after receiving treatment for several months.

Starkey served as an OCU faculty member for 21 years. He taught classes in the Wimberly School of Religion and the Honors Program. Students and faculty said he made a significant impact on the campus community and will be remembered.

Kaylila Pasha, acting junior, said Starkey always went the extra mile to connect with his students. 

“He did so much more than teach,” Pasha said. “He always encouraged us and would stay in his office until late at night in case anyone needed help. He really wanted to build strong connections with the students and faculty.”

Pasha said she has fond memories of Starkey, including a fun nickname he gave her. 

“There’s a character in Doctor Who called Leela, and he would come up to me outside of class and say ‘Hey Leela!’,” Pasha said. “I had no idea what he meant, but he would get all excited and say ‘She’s a character, you gotta look her up. She’s great.’ He was just kind and thoughtful like that, even about the smallest things.”  

Pasha said she was enrolled in his class the semester he was diagnosed with cancer.

“He would do everything in his power not to let his diagnosis affect his teaching,” Pasha said. “For example, if he had to cancel a meeting with a student to attend a chemotherapy session, he would make sure to spend extra time with them outside of class to make sure they weren’t falling behind. I think that says a lot about his character and commitment to his students.” 

Pasha said she is grateful for Starkey’s impact on the OCU community.

“The connection he had with students, faculty and staff made an incredible impact, not just on an academic level, but on a personal level,” Pasha said. 

President Martha Burger sent a campuswide email Jan. 11 informing the campus community about Starkey’s death. 

“Dr. Starkey was a beloved member of our faculty for 21 years and his impact on his students and colleagues is immeasurable,” she wrote in the email.

Throughout his time at OCU, Starkey’s many awards include the Outstanding Faculty Award in 2006, the Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award in 2014-15, the Excellence in Teaching Award for Full-Time Faculty in 2009, and recognition as the Distinguished Honors Professor in 2001, 2005, 2008 and 2012.

Liana Forss, music theater sophomore, said she remembers Starkey as one of her most influential professors.

“He shaped my mind more than I thought possible in the honors courses he taught,” Forss said.

Forss said she left Starkey’s class every day with the motivation to expand her mind and elevate her thoughts. 

“He taught so far above and beyond his course material, and as a result, each of his students can say that they are different humans because of him,” Forss said.

Ivy Walker, acting freshman, said during her second class with Starkey, she became emotional while having difficulty trying to articulate her point, and Starkey was helpful, understanding and patient.

“I was obviously really embarrassed, but not only did Dr. Starkey make sure I got tissues, he also told me he was a crier as well and helped me find the words to make my point,” she said.

Walker said Starkey made a point to ensure students always had a voice in class.

“Anytime after that that the subject of feminism came up, he made sure to ask if I had anything to say,” she said. “He made me feel so welcome at school and quickly became my favorite teacher even though I only knew him for one semester.” 

Students, faculty and friends of Starkey posted tributes to him  on Facebook after news spread of his death. 

Lucas Freeman, history senior, posted on his Facebook page about Starkey’s impact on his life.

“I accidentally wound up in two of Dr. Starkey’s classes my freshman year. Then intentionally two more after that,” Freeman wrote. “He pushed me in my writing, my thinking, and my humanity more than anyone I know. He was brilliant, extraordinarily kind, and a uniquely special presence here.”

Elizabeth Horton-Ware, director of religious life, said Starkey was one of her professors when she attended OCU. Starkey was a very special person in her life, and she will always remember her conversations with him and how he inspired her to come back and work at OCU, she said. 

“He loved this place,” she said. “He loved these students.” 

Horton-Ware said Starkey lived a simple life, walking everywhere and owning few clothes. 

“We all knew his signature scarves,” she said. 

She said Starkey found joy in the little things in life, and she has a funny memory of him when she was a student in 2002. 

“He wanted to watch the Olympics so bad that he went out and bought a TV, which he didn’t have before.”

Starkey was a lifelong learner and called others to keep learning and loving, Horton-Ware said. 

“He was so supportive, and I think that’s the thing that I keep seeing over and over is how he built up so many different people: students, faculty, staff, community, here on this campus.”

Horton-Ware said one of Starkey’s favorite hymns will be sung as the choir anthem during Chapel Service tomorrow. Additionally, there will be time set aside during the service to reflect.

Starkey’s memorial service will be Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel and is open to the public. 

If students need assistance or support during this time, they can utilize the university’s free counseling services. For more information on counseling services or to schedule an appointment, students can call (405) 208-7901. 

Contributing: Emily Wollenberg, editor-in-chief.