Ernest Lee Starks was born in Akron, Ohio on March 30, 1942, the sixth child of Will and Mattie Starks.

The family moved north from Browns, Alabama and Ernie was raised with his five older siblings; Willie (Bill), John, Martha, Joe (Bobby) and Geraldine (Lois) who was also born in Akron. Ernie graduated from Buchtel High School where he excelled on the gridiron for the Griffins.  Following graduation and a few odd jobs, he enlisted in the Army where he served between 1962 and 1965.  During those years, he spent a tour of duty in Germany where he enjoyed traveling throughout Europe when he had leave time. “Mr. International” enjoyed visiting cities such as Amsterdam and Paris.  Following his military commitment, he spent the majority of his working career as a tire-builder at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, BF Goodrich and Motor Wheel Corp. before he retired from Hayes Lemmerz International.

Ernie was a sworn bachelor who never married, nor had any children.  However, he was the favored Uncle to his eight nieces and four nephews who often visited with him and whom he entrusted with his stylish automobiles once they were of age to drive and take care of his home when he was on vacations with friends and family.

Ernie enjoyed his life.  He often entertained his siblings and friends at his home and he was the “Grillmaster,” smoking up the West Side of Akron with tasty ribs and other barbequed meats.  He appreciated great food and drinks, poker games with his brothers and nephews, NFL “Game Conditions” during football season, laughing, talking and debating with his nieces on life and current events.  He also loved jazz and was an avid record collector.  He once rented an organ with the intent to play like one of his favorite artists, Jimmy Smith. He was also an electronics genius, equipping his home with the latest audio-video and stereo technology and wiring his family’s homes as well.  Ernie also enjoyed the company of beautiful and intelligent ladies whom he dated and befriended over the years.  He loved his parents dearly, caring for them in their later years and continually asking about them even as his own health began to diminish.

Like his siblings, Ernie grew up in the church and was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio.  On September 20, 2024, Ernest Lee Starks passed away at the age of 82 following an extended illness.

Ernie is welcomed “home” by his parents Will and Mattie Starks; siblings John, Martha and Bill; the Starks’ other “brother” Robert “Cool Breeze” Graham; brother-in-law Gerald (Jerry) Collins, sister- in-law Jean Starks and nephew Tim Bradley.  Ernie is survived by his siblings Bobby (Carole) Starks and Lois Collins,  brother-in-law Harvey Starks and sister-in-law Sallie Starks; nieces and nephews: Tracee (Fred) Fayne, Jill Starks, Debbie Collins, Kathi (Craig) Cohen, Christi (Spencer) Boyd, Kent (Dashawn) Starks, Kira Bradley, Lauren (Ron) Gilford, James “Corey” (Tracey) Starks, LeJon “Chuck” (Ritta) Starks, Karlton (Aliceia) Starks,  Mattie (Talib) Aekins and a host of great and great-great  nephews, nieces, cousins and close family friends.