It's an imponderable thing, this tragedy. Tom was a jewel in the beautiful setting of the church of Spokane. His absence diminishes us all. He welcomed me. He nurtured me in the ways of the Northwest. He advised me, though sometimes without solicitation of it. It was ok. I knew his heart, and I knew he loved me. I miss him.
Dr. Barry Foster, Pines Baptist Church

I considered Pastor Starr a dear personal friend. We have shared a vision for the Inland Empire for more than thirty years. A vision, which he more than any other I know lived out on a daily basis. My prayers, my family's prayers and the prayers of the people at First Church of the Open Bible are with Betty and all of the Starr family. We are all better because we knew Tom!
Norm LeLaCheur, Pastor Emeritus First Church of the Open Bible

Pastor Tom was one of the patriarchs of Spokane. I had the opportunity of sharing with him in so many outreaches. There was very little that happened for Christ in Spokane that he was not involved in. He was loved and looked up to by all the pastors. Tom was a true evangelist. Today he is experiencing the reality of all that he preached. Today he is with his Savior. He will be missed by all of us. My prayers and sympathy go out to Betty and all the family.
Pastor Dennis Sunderland

When I think of Tom, souls were his passion. The churches coming together - that was a dream, and it happened. This city will miss him!
Don Stevens, First Assembly of God - Assistant to the Director, International Ministries

Words fail when I try to describe the depth and breadth of Tom's impact upon my life as a pastor and this city as his parish. Tom's passionate love for God and for people in need of Jesus Christ have left an indelible mark of historic proportions upon God's church in Spokane. His compassionate leadership and powerful vision set the pace for hundreds of pastors, including me. Wise, gifted, personable, tenacious, sensitive to God, bold with people, loving towards all - this is the Tom we will so deeply miss in the days ahead.
Pastor John Repsold, 4th Memorial Church

Through the years of working with Pastor Tom I came to appreciate and look up to him in so many ways. Tom always had a way about him that took us back to the basics in our walk with the Lord. He was not interested in following the latest trend in Christian marketing strategies, but took us back to finding out what God wanted to do here in this place. He wanted to see God do a work that could only be attributed to the power of God. He would always emphasize prayer, revival, how to share our faith, how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, commitment, and other spiritual disciplines. Tom was vulnerable to his congregation. If there was criticism he would pray "Lord, I want to change if You want me to" rather than becoming defensive. He was a tremendous example to me in that way. Tom's sense of humor was unique. So many of his humorous quips and illustrations are lodged in our memories as lessons of life. Tom Starr burned a trail for the cause of Christ and we love him dearly.
Pastor Rich Stafford - Damascus Community Church

A leader among pastors with a heart for the …lost, the Christian community, his country, Christian education, the unborn, and spiritual warfare. He was a man of prayer, a reader who was teachable and one who sought God's plan, not man's. This warrior, who served as a general, will be a great loss to our community.
Phil Altmeyer - Union Gospel Mission

Tom Starr has been a very important mentor in my life for the past six years. We have spent literally hundreds of hours together facilitating Pastor's Prayer Summits, sitting on the Greater Spokane Association of Evangelicals Board, working together on the Servant Leader team for Mission Spokane and just sharing personal time together. Tom had a wonderful ability to know the heart of the Lord. Often it simply sounded like the voice of the Lord when Tom made important comments on situations we had been praying through. Tom was open to understanding and working with people across the Christian spectrum, although he would also stand his ground and ask "hard questions" about doctrinal differences which went against his biblical understanding. He was always considerate and welcoming even when he disagreed, however. Tom also felt very open to speak into the lives of those of us who were close to him - letting us know when he saw something in our life that troubled him. I always was amazed at Tom's steady hospital visits, even for people who no longer or had never attended his church. If someone called for help or counsel, he was there for them. Tom will be deeply missed by the Church of Spokane.
Pastor Glen Weber, Worldwide Church of God

I will always remember Tom because of his joyful heart and friendly spirit. Being with him and my husband, Terry for International Renewal gatherings was a continual privilege. Sitting at meals, laughing and sharing our hearts made the word "fellowship" real. I think of Tom being in heaven now with Terry and the Lord. They now know the fullness of that eternal fellowship. In the midst of another heavy loss it also gives me peace to know that they are very much alive and in the sweet presence of the Lord, waiting for Betty and me!
Judy Dirks

Tom Starr's proclamation of truth was his hallmark! His passion for the lost was second to none. Tom has been God's "point man" willing to serve the body of Christ and his community. His years of leadership in Spokane will continue through his legacy. Tom has run well. Tom has fought well. Tom has finished well. We have all been impacted by his life. Now Tom has graduated into glory. We will miss you, Tom!
Joe Aldrich, President Emeritus - Multnomah Bible College and Seminary

My friend… co-worker… warrior…pastor…leader and fellow servant… Tom Starr. As a young church leader and businessman new to Spokane, Tom was the first pastor in the city to take me in, mentor me, agreeing to meet on a regular basis. His willingness to spend time with me was not only instructive but also very encouraging. Tom was open to expending energy on me when others were not. He always had time to talk and pray with me. My love for him grew through years of working along side of him, praying with him and talking over a meal. Looking back now, I see the things that were most important to me mattered to Tom as well. This is one of the things that most impresses me about my brother and friend Tom Starr.
Daryl Bursch, Eagle Summit Ministries

The best way I can describe our dear brother Tom Starr is that he was "a man after God's own heart." Tom was filled with a deep love for God and with God's love for his family, for the church and for the men, women, boys and girls all around him who need Jesus. Tom taught me (and many other leaders) through his words and through his daily life what Christ meant by leading through serving. Thank you, Lord, for Tom.
Steve Hall, International Renewal Ministries

Tom reminded me a lot of my own father. He cared for people and I loved working with him. I knew Tom's heart was to reach the lost with the Gospel. Earlier this year I went to Tom and thanked him for taking a chance on a 39-year-old no name from Illinois and allowing me to be the youth Pastor at Valley Fourth for a period of time. It was a life-changing time for me and for my family. If it had not been for Tom Starr, I would not be where I am today. I learned much from Tom and I thought of him as a Pastor's Pastor. I know he is rejoicing in heaven with the Savior he longed to see, but for me, he will be missed.
Pastor John McCain, Grace Evangelical Free Church

I had the privilege of knowing Pastor Tom on a personal and ministry level. As a young man wanting desperately to know God's design for my family and ministry career, I rubbed shoulders with a man who understood and encouraged me to keep asking the tough questions; Pastor Tom. He didn't discourage me or make me feel stupid! I felt he understood my struggles, and knew he had probably wrestled with similar issues when he was younger. God has shown me wonderful things about myself since those moments years ago and I believe the Lord used Pastor Tom to shape me. I will always be grateful for Pastor Tom and pray I will carry the torch of Jesus as consistently as he carried it during his life!
Grant Oplund - Moody Northwest - Regional Director

It has been my great privilege to know Tom Starr since almost the beginning of my time in Spokane, 1974. I have prayed with him several times, and have sensed his heart for the city and its people. I have had the privilege of participating in a couple of music programs that Valley Fourth presented at the Opera House, and heard Tom present the gospel clearly to those attending. He has been a friend of KMBI, and has been helpful to this ministry in many ways. KMBI has aired many Sunday morning services from Valley Fourth Memorial Church, touched for the Kingdom. As will so many throughout this region, we will miss him greatly.
Gary Leonard, Station Manager - KMBI

It was under Tom's ministry that my wife and I came to accept Jesus Christ. The first time I heard Tom preach I got up from my chair and went forward knowing what he was talking about was what I was missing in my life. He later told me it was a good thing no one was in front of me as they would surely have been trampled! Losing Tom is our loss and Heaven's gain.
Jim & Barbara Kidwell

As I think back over my years with Pastor Tom this quote stands out: "When God measures a man He puts the tape around the heart, not the head." Pastor Tom was a man with a great heart! Randi and I came to Valley Christian School in 1988 by Pastor Tom's invitation. He was my spiritual mentor, a man who believed in me personally when at times I didn't believe in myself. His vision for kingdom education enlarged my vision. Leadership is not wielding authority; it's empowering people and Tom did this in his life. I never knew him to be "static" spiritually. His passion for God continually took him deeper into the very heart of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My memory of him will hold a man of common sense wisdom, of simple-faith prayers, of broken compassion for people and a true friend. We love you Pastor Tom!
Wes and Randi Evans - Valley Christian School

It is with sorrow that Ilene and I received the message of Tom's departure. Tom hired me as the Youth Pastor at Valley Fourth in the early eighties. He has helped shape my thinking on evangelism and outreach. Tom forged new ventures to reach people for Christ. He was a great leader and example for me, and for that I am grateful. Under Tom's leadership, Valley Fourth was known as a church where people could accept Christ. Tom's passion to communicate the gospel and his love for the church have influenced me and my family to pursue God's call of ministry on our lives. I praise God for Tom Starr, a true man of God.
Don and Ilene Nagle - Northern Light Ministries

I thank the Lord for Tom's Christ centered vision, for his emphasis on the Spirit controlled life, for his willingness to speak out and take leadership in things sacred and secular, for being a man of prayer and urging Christian leaders across our area and to join in seeking the face of God for revival in our community, state, nation, and world. Our beloved brother has been on the cutting edge, and vitally involved in more endeavors for the Lord than I can imagine. He was a humble, loving brother, whole great desire was to glorify his God and Savior. May his passion for the Savior continue to ignite us to live godly in Christ Jesus and keep on with patient endurance until the Savior calls us home.
Pastor Ed Underhill, Pastor Emeritus Fourth Memorial Church

As a prayer summit facilitator with Tom, I found him to be a witty man of wisdom with the ability to discern core issues and address them with a holy boldness. Willing to be criticized for being unconventional, Tom made all of us to think and to be more open to what God would demand of us.
Calvin Blom, Professor, Multnomah Bible College

Tom's evangelistic heart and humor have helped me in my own preaching. Even today I warn my own people that as a Christian we should not appear to be "weaned on a dill pickle."
Reverend Dwight Hires, Pastor of Christian Education, Valley 4th - 1977-1986

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15). How precious your speaking into my life has been, you are loved, you are missed. Heaven's gain, our loss.
Reverend Ezra Kinlow, Holy Temple Church of God in Christ

It was shortly after Tom had facilitated the East Multnomah Country Pastor's Prayer Summit in January of this year, that he telephoned me with a summary report as to what God had accomplished during the Prayer Summit. In response to one of my questions, he said something that really captured my attention, and I asked him to repeat it. He repeated, "God is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake. When you can't trace His hand, you trust His heart." I immediately wrote those words in my Bible. Little did I realize how meaningful those words would become, for such a time as this!
Don R. Stern, Assistant to the Director, International Ministries

The day the Mission Spokane servant leaders team first viewed the video, Transformations: A Documentary, several of us expressed eagerness to see transformation come to Spokane like that in Cali, Colombia where a pastor's death brought unity to the Body of Christ. Tom Starr spoke up and said, "But who is willing to die to bring transformation to Spokane?"
Dan and Robby Grether

Our life and ministry is richer because of the influence of Tom Starr, our beloved friend, our teacher, our encourager and God's faithful man of the WORD. Those of us who have come behind have truly found him faithful. We find the journey a bit more lonely with his going on ahead of our sight. But we find our going more promising because of his example.
Dan & Harriet Gordy, New Tribes Mission

Valley Fourth has set up a fund for the Starr family. Those wishing to contribute may make their checks to Valley Fourth Memorial Church designated for the Starr family. Cards and flowers may be sent either to the church with a note or to Tom and Betty's home, 11222 East 14th, Spokane, WA 99206.

Click here for memorial service pictures and story
Click here to read the Spokesman-Review article covering the memorial service - written by Isamu Jordan
Click here to read the Spokesman-Review article about the life of Tom Starr written by Kelly McBride