Elmer passed peacefully in the early hours of May 2, 2016 with his children by his side. In his final days, while his health rapidly declined he was surrounded by family around the clock faithfully ensuring he felt the love and affection he so generously gave to all during his days on this earth as he made his transition to the afterlife. Elmer was born on January 25, 1925 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. In 1939, at the age of 14, his family traveled to California during the days of The Dust Bowl stopping first in Santa Maria then Corcoran and finally settling in Edison. Elmer began work at the age of 16 in potato farming as well as off season work in the fish canneries. He went on to join the Service at 19, shortly thereafter meeting and marrying the love of his life Dorothy Lee Watson. Elmer and Dorothy put down roots in Shafter starting their family in 1945. Elmer had an indescribable passion for his family and Cherokee heritage that sparked a trip back to Oklahoma in 1987 to learn more about his family where he in turn discovered and connected with 3 sisters and 2 brothers with whom he stayed in touch with over the years. Family was everything to Elmer, and if you were a friend you were family to him. Elmer was a man known for his generosity, incredible ingenuity and his love for a good time. His greatest enjoyments were fishing, shooting pool, trips to the casino, building or reconstructing anything he could get his hands on, and hanging out at the shop with his family. And whether it was at the shop or around a campfire, he loved to get out the guitar and sing one of his many favorites that tickled the ears of his listeners with his delightfully distinct one of kind voices that will never be forgotten. Elmer's legacy will live on forever in the countless memories held in the hearts of every person that had the pleasure of knowing him. Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Lee Starr; sisters, Jeanne Johnson, Emma Nakedhead, May Marie Starr, Hattie Livers; and brothers, George Cochran and Lynch Starr. He is survived by his sister, Vera Higgins, daughter, Cheryl Barnes, sons, Deryl Starr and Keith Starr, several nieces and nephews and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great- great grandchildren.