Almost two years ago, two Gas Service Co., employees saved another mans life. But because they did not use approved resuscitation techniques, no one officially honored them until Wednesday. While working in the Castlewoods housing subdivision Sept. 22, 1978, Charles Starks and Larry Hancock were told a ditch cave-in had occurred and a plumbing contractor, who had been searching for a sewer pipe, was buried beneath the dirt. Hancock and Starks rushed to the scene, removing clods of dirt by hand. About 12 inches down they found the man's head, blue-black in color, blood trickling from his nose and ears, Starks pried the man's lips apart, stuffed 15 inches of plastic pipe down his throat and began breathing in the tube while Hancock continued to remove dirt. A fire department rescue attendant then arrived at the accident site, supplying th trapped man with an air mask and oxygen.
As soon as the man was uncovered, the attendant and two Gas Service Co., employees loaded him on a stretcher and into the rescue truck.
After his two employees rescued the contractor, Gene Smith, of the Gas Service co., applied for the American Red Cross to recognize them. The request was denied because they did not use approved techniques of the artificial respiration. Later the same year, Smith requested recognition from the National Gas Association. Again denial was based on the rescue techniques used. After a two-year wait, meritorious action plaques were present to the men 8 a.m. Wednesday before about 30 employees in the plant lounge. Smith said that association was more "down to earth" and appreciated someone saving a life, no matter how.
Benton County Enterprise
Charles E. Starks, 66 of Warsaw, passed away August 15, 2003 at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. He was born January 3, 1937 in Independence, Missouri, the son of Othel and Melba Fisher Starks. He grew up in Sugar Creek, Missouri.
He enlisted in the United States Army, serving overseas in Germany, in the 82nd Airbourne Paratrooper Division. He worked for the Gas Service Company in Independence retiring there after 34 years of service. After his retirement he moved to Warsaw in 1990. While living in Warsaw, he drove the O.A.T.S. bus for several years. He loved to spend his time in the great outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He was a member of the Mt. Washington Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by three sons, Dennis Starks of Cross Timbers, Missouri, Gary Starks and his wife Cynthia of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Kevin Starks, and his wife Deena, of Warsaw, Missouri, and one daughter Meshell Hillard, of the home. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, one brother LeWayne Starks and his wife Mary, of Independence, Missouri and one sister Laila Gilmore, and her husband Jay, also of Independence. Other survivors include, long time companion, Janice Pieratt and other relatives and many friends. Graveside and military rites will be held on Tuesday, August 19 at the Fairview Cemetery in Cross Timbers, Missouri, with Rev. Bill Hix officiating.
Source: John Richard Gariety, Sr.
As soon as the man was uncovered, the attendant and two Gas Service Co., employees loaded him on a stretcher and into the rescue truck.
After his two employees rescued the contractor, Gene Smith, of the Gas Service co., applied for the American Red Cross to recognize them. The request was denied because they did not use approved techniques of the artificial respiration. Later the same year, Smith requested recognition from the National Gas Association. Again denial was based on the rescue techniques used. After a two-year wait, meritorious action plaques were present to the men 8 a.m. Wednesday before about 30 employees in the plant lounge. Smith said that association was more "down to earth" and appreciated someone saving a life, no matter how.
Benton County Enterprise
Charles E. Starks, 66 of Warsaw, passed away August 15, 2003 at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. He was born January 3, 1937 in Independence, Missouri, the son of Othel and Melba Fisher Starks. He grew up in Sugar Creek, Missouri.
He enlisted in the United States Army, serving overseas in Germany, in the 82nd Airbourne Paratrooper Division. He worked for the Gas Service Company in Independence retiring there after 34 years of service. After his retirement he moved to Warsaw in 1990. While living in Warsaw, he drove the O.A.T.S. bus for several years. He loved to spend his time in the great outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He was a member of the Mt. Washington Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by three sons, Dennis Starks of Cross Timbers, Missouri, Gary Starks and his wife Cynthia of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Kevin Starks, and his wife Deena, of Warsaw, Missouri, and one daughter Meshell Hillard, of the home. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, one brother LeWayne Starks and his wife Mary, of Independence, Missouri and one sister Laila Gilmore, and her husband Jay, also of Independence. Other survivors include, long time companion, Janice Pieratt and other relatives and many friends. Graveside and military rites will be held on Tuesday, August 19 at the Fairview Cemetery in Cross Timbers, Missouri, with Rev. Bill Hix officiating.
Source: John Richard Gariety, Sr.
Almost two years ago, two Gas Service Co., employees saved another mans life. But because they did not use approved resuscitation techniques, no one officially honored them until Wednesday. While working in the Castlewoods housing subdivision Sept. 22, 1978, Charles Starks and Larry Hancock were told a ditch cave-in had occurred and a plumbing contractor, who had been searching for a sewer pipe, was buried beneath the dirt. Hancock and Starks rushed to the scene, removing clods of dirt by hand. About 12 inches down they found the man's head, blue-black in color, blood trickling from his nose and ears, Starks pried the man's lips apart, stuffed 15 inches of plastic pipe down his throat and began breathing in the tube while Hancock continued to remove dirt. A fire department rescue attendant then arrived at the accident site, supplying th trapped man with an air mask and oxygen.
As soon as the man was uncovered, the attendant and two Gas Service Co., employees loaded him on a stretcher and into the rescue truck.
After his two employees rescued the contractor, Gene Smith, of the Gas Service co., applied for the American Red Cross to recognize them. The request was denied because they did not use approved techniques of the artificial respiration. Later the same year, Smith requested recognition from the National Gas Association. Again denial was based on the rescue techniques used. After a two-year wait, meritorious action plaques were present to the men 8 a.m. Wednesday before about 30 employees in the plant lounge. Smith said that association was more "down to earth" and appreciated someone saving a life, no matter how.
Benton County Enterprise
Charles E. Starks, 66 of Warsaw, passed away August 15, 2003 at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. He was born January 3, 1937 in Independence, Missouri, the son of Othel and Melba Fisher Starks. He grew up in Sugar Creek, Missouri.
He enlisted in the United States Army, serving overseas in Germany, in the 82nd Airbourne Paratrooper Division. He worked for the Gas Service Company in Independence retiring there after 34 years of service. After his retirement he moved to Warsaw in 1990. While living in Warsaw, he drove the O.A.T.S. bus for several years. He loved to spend his time in the great outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He was a member of the Mt. Washington Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by three sons, Dennis Starks of Cross Timbers, Missouri, Gary Starks and his wife Cynthia of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Kevin Starks, and his wife Deena, of Warsaw, Missouri, and one daughter Meshell Hillard, of the home. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, one brother LeWayne Starks and his wife Mary, of Independence, Missouri and one sister Laila Gilmore, and her husband Jay, also of Independence. Other survivors include, long time companion, Janice Pieratt and other relatives and many friends. Graveside and military rites will be held on Tuesday, August 19 at the Fairview Cemetery in Cross Timbers, Missouri, with Rev. Bill Hix officiating.
Source: John Richard Gariety, Sr.
As soon as the man was uncovered, the attendant and two Gas Service Co., employees loaded him on a stretcher and into the rescue truck.
After his two employees rescued the contractor, Gene Smith, of the Gas Service co., applied for the American Red Cross to recognize them. The request was denied because they did not use approved techniques of the artificial respiration. Later the same year, Smith requested recognition from the National Gas Association. Again denial was based on the rescue techniques used. After a two-year wait, meritorious action plaques were present to the men 8 a.m. Wednesday before about 30 employees in the plant lounge. Smith said that association was more "down to earth" and appreciated someone saving a life, no matter how.
Benton County Enterprise
Charles E. Starks, 66 of Warsaw, passed away August 15, 2003 at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. He was born January 3, 1937 in Independence, Missouri, the son of Othel and Melba Fisher Starks. He grew up in Sugar Creek, Missouri.
He enlisted in the United States Army, serving overseas in Germany, in the 82nd Airbourne Paratrooper Division. He worked for the Gas Service Company in Independence retiring there after 34 years of service. After his retirement he moved to Warsaw in 1990. While living in Warsaw, he drove the O.A.T.S. bus for several years. He loved to spend his time in the great outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He was a member of the Mt. Washington Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by three sons, Dennis Starks of Cross Timbers, Missouri, Gary Starks and his wife Cynthia of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Kevin Starks, and his wife Deena, of Warsaw, Missouri, and one daughter Meshell Hillard, of the home. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, one brother LeWayne Starks and his wife Mary, of Independence, Missouri and one sister Laila Gilmore, and her husband Jay, also of Independence. Other survivors include, long time companion, Janice Pieratt and other relatives and many friends. Graveside and military rites will be held on Tuesday, August 19 at the Fairview Cemetery in Cross Timbers, Missouri, with Rev. Bill Hix officiating.
Source: John Richard Gariety, Sr.
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