Jess Starr

Jess Warren Starr, 46, passed away early Friday morning, September 3, 2021 at Dupree. His funeral service was held September 9, 2021 at the Pioneer Days Arena rodeo grounds in Dupree with Pastor Pauline Webb officiating. Burial was at the Dupree Cemetery.

Jess Warren Starr was born on December 9, 1974, to Vernon Ray and Sue Elsie (Miller) Starr in Mobridge. Jess spent his early childhood at his grandparents’ playing with his cousins and spent a great deal of time fishing with his Grandpa Leon. Summers were spent playing and riding 4 wheelers with cousins and friends. Big sisters Lisa and Lori were in charge of the four boys and their shenanigans.

Rodeo played a huge part of Jess’ life. Jess was very appreciative of the many places that he could hone his skills and practice with his friends. Jess had many accomplishments in the rodeo arena. These successes would not have happened without the help of the Mike Tibbs Family, Kerry Burgee Family and Delbert Woodward. The time and experience they gave helped shape Jess’s life.

Jess loved driving his teams of horses in wagon trains, parades and community events. It was a great honor to be asked to use his teams for funeral processions.

Jess met the love of his life Jeri and they were married on June 9, 2012. His great pride and joy were his four children: Jae’cyn, Kel, Buck and Emmett. It was very important to Jess to teach them the value of hard work, good friends, community and family alongside grandparents Vernon and Sue.

Jess is survived by his wife, Jeri; daughter Jae’cyn and sons Kel, Buck and Emmett; father and mother Vernon and Sue Starr; brother Duke (Tess) Starr; sisters Lisa (Bill) Rensch and Lori (Wade) Stebbins; nephews Kade Starr, Ethan Stebbins, Daniel and Jesse Flansburg, Bowe Jiron; and nieces Lexi and Halie Goshorn and Taryn Starr, Payton and Kalista Flansburg, Atalya and Ashra Benally, Dakota Dupree, Bailey, Shaylene, Alexis, Teila, Shiloh and Aliyauna Jiron.

Jess is preceded in death by his grandparents, Leon and Irene Starr and Delbert (Buck) and Eva Miller; aunt Leota (Starr) Birkeland; uncle Warren Miller; father-in-law Phillip Jiron; mother-in-law Sharon Mandan; brother-in-law Doug Dupree and nephew Savon Benally.