On Thursday, May 2, 2024, Richard S. Starkey (PowderBurn), a Loving Father, Papaw, Son, Brother, Uncle, and Dear friend, passed away at the age of 55.

Ricky attended School at Hidden Valley in Roanoke before his family moved to The Elliston area where he attended Shawsville Middle & High School. He took on many job titles as he was a Jack of all trades from building houses to auto mechanics to his longest career in HVAC, which he loved. Ricky was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved his guns, NASCAR racing, and his Chevrolets. He would collect anything Dale Earnhardt. Ricky was loved by all his family and friends and never met a stranger.

Ricky was born in Wurzburg, Germany, on June 11, 1968, to Robert and Alice Starkey while Robert was active in the military and stationed in Germany. Both parents and Ricky moved back to Roanoke, VA, and eventually ended up back in Elliston, VA, as they call their hometown.

Ricky is preceded in death by his Mama Alice, his grandparents Robert and Ruby Starkey and Fon & Etta Mullins, multiple uncles and aunts, his best friends Greg Epperly, Frankie Epperly, Shorty Dow, and best friend/uncle Larry Starkey. Left to cherish his memory are his Daddy Robert Starkey Jr., his sisters Lisa (Jim), Tosha (Terry), and Kim (Scott), and his two daughters Ashley (Caleb) and Mckinzie, and one granddaughter Annabelle, "she was the light of his eyes". He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, along with many great friends. To name a couple: Staley Hester and a dear friend, Valerie Whitlock, and his best female friend Karen Dunbar, those two always had each other no matter what.

A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Big Spring Baptist Church in Elliston, VA, to be followed the next day by a Funeral Service on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. also at Big Spring Baptist Church to be officiated by Pastor Stewart Wright of Midway Baptist Church with interment directly after the service at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, VA.

As a family, we find peace in knowing that Ricky has joined our Heavenly Father, his Mama, and his Papaw Rob, and many more family members and friends.