John Wayne Starkey

John Wayne Starkey age 63 of Nashville, TN, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at his residence.

He was born in Paris, TN, on March 4, 1963, to the late John Thomas Starkey, and the late Bettie Sturdivant Starkey.

John married Sandra Harper Starkey on May 9, 2020. Sandra survives of Nashville, TN.

John was a Baptist by faith and a graduate of UT-Martin, where he graduated with honors. He spent many years working as an insurance salesman for First Acceptance Corp. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, woodworking, and building furniture. He especially loved celebrating Christmas.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by nine children, Ashley (Jamie) Scoggins of Smyrna, TN, Jennifer (Ross) Chandler of Gleason, TN, Erica Freeman of McKenzie, TN, Brandon (Summer) Weiher of Paris, TN, Tara Wood of Paris, TN, Tiffany Wood of Paris, TN, Chad Wood of Paris, TN, Wesley (Brooklynn) Wood of Jackson, TN, and Ashley (Brandon) Taylor of Jackson, TN; one sister, Diane Perry of Puryear, TN; special grandchildren, Quinn and Baylee; and many other grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents, John was preceded in death by one brother, Mike Starkey.

Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN, is handling the arrangements. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at Ridgeway Funeral Home, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Robert Jourdan.

Burial will follow at Olive Branch Cemetery with Jamie Scoggins, Brailyn Taylor, Brandon Taylor, Wesley Wood, Chad Wood, Randall Ramey, and Conner Headington serving as pallbearers.

Serving as an honorary pallbearer will be Clarence Benson.