Early Life
Starr’s early life was marked by hardships. Shortly after the start of World War II, his father's reserve unit was activated and in 1942 he was deployed to the Pacific Theater. His was first in the Army but transferred to the Air Force for his military career.
Starr had a younger brother, Hilton (Bubba). In 1947, Bubba stepped on a dog bone while playing in the yard and passed away of tetanus three days later. Starr’s relationship with his father deteriorated after Hilton’s passing. He was an introverted child who rarely showed his emotions and his father pushed to develop more of a mean streak.
Starr attended Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He tried out for the football team in his sophomore year, but decided to quit after two weeks. His father gave him the option of playing football or working in the family garden; Starr chose to return to the football field.
In his junior year, the starting quarterback broke his leg and Starr became the starter. He led Lanier to an undefeated season. In his senior season, Starr was named all-state and All-American, and received college scholarship offers from universities across the country. He seriously considered the University of Kentucky, coached by Bear Bryant. Starr's high school sweetheart, Cherry Louise Morton, was planning to attend Auburn and Starr wished to attend a college close to her. Starr changed his mind and committed to the University of Alabama.
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