Virgil Starks, III ’85
It is my sad duty to report that Virgil Starks, III, Rhodes College Class of 1985, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2008. He died of cardiac arrest while driving to his home following Auburn’s football game. At the time of his death, Virgil served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Auburn University. Click here to see the announcement on Auburn’s Website.
As a student at Rhodes, Virgil was involved in the Kinney program and the Black Student Association. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Virgil ran cross country and played on the football squad. As an alumnus, Virgil worked for the Rhodes College Admissions Office as Coordinator for Alumni Recruiting and served a three year term on the Alumni Association Executive Board.
Virgil is survived by his wife, Donna, and daughters Carolyn, Victoria, and Anastasia. Chris Evans, a student who plays football for Auburn whose parents could not attend “senior day” activities last Saturday offers this comment regarding Virgil, “I was expecting to go out there and I was going to stand by myself and take the picture,” Evans said. “When I ran out there past Aubie, I just saw him there. He was smiling. Showing all 32 of his teeth like he always does.” http://www.oanow.com/oan/news/local/article/incredibly_sad_loss/45795/. This article gives you a sense of how Virgil had a way of bringing joy to those whom he knew.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 11 from 6-8pm at the Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home located at 1500 Frederic in Opelika, Alabama. The funeral service will be Wednesday, November 12, at 11am at the First Baptist Church, 128 E. Glenn, in Auburn, Alabama.
I came to know Virgil through his service on the Alumni Board. Just as he showed all 32 teeth when he smiled, he showed the love he held for us in that big heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with Donna and the children. They are also with the staff, faculty, and students of Auburn whose hearts are surely breaking in the passing of this great man.