John Marshall Starr, a cherished and devoted member of the South Coast Railroad Museum family, passed away on December 25, 2009. John’s dedication to the museum spanned nearly three decades, marked by his enthusiasm, kindness, and unwavering support. As one of the charter members of the “Friends of Goleta Depot,” John’s name appeared in the first two issues of the Depot Dispatch newsletter in June 1981, demonstrating his early commitment to preserving Goleta Depot.
John became a museum volunteer in 1985 and was one of the original docents who led tours, sharing the depot’s history with visitors. Later, he became a volunteer “agent,” helping to interpret the building’s significance. John’s passion for his volunteer work was evident; he valued interacting with his fellow volunteers and discovering the small details that brought history to life. His love for trains ran deep, tracing back to his grandfather, a longtime Burlington Northern engineer, and his father, who worked for the Great Northern Railway. In fact, on the day of John’s birth, June 16, 1941, his father was traveling on the rails, hoping to make it home to Devils Lake, North Dakota, in time.
John served on the museum’s Board of Trustees for many years and was a dedicated supporter, providing annual and endowment gifts, becoming a charter member of the Milepost 100 club, and frequently participating in the Spring Fundraisers. In 1991, he even organized his own fundraiser, pledging $1,200 and challenging others to match his gift. His efforts raised $3,000 for the museum.
One of John’s most notable contributions was as Depot Day’s beloved “auction agent,” a role he held for 27 years. He managed the Silent Auction’s bookkeeping and distribution with dedication. Even when his career required him to move to Ridgecrest in 1989, John remained committed, regularly making the over 400-mile roundtrip to support museum events. For 20 years, he continued volunteering, staffing the museum every fifth Saturday and making the drive to Goleta four times each year.
John will be dearly missed for his wisdom, gentle humor, curiosity, and loyalty to the museum. His legacy of generosity and dedication will forever be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing him.