Michael Starkweather

Michael Starkweather, 65, of Allen, Texas, passed away on March 2nd, 2026, following a courageous two-year battle with Parkinson’s and Dementia. A man of quiet strength, sharp wit, and a deeply kind soul, Michael left an indelible mark on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Born on Christmas Eve 1960 in Karlsruhe, Germany, Michael was a gift to his family from the very start. He moved from Germany to the US when he was a child and became a US citizen in 1978. Raised in Garland, TX, he graduated from North Garland High School in 1979. Michael worked for PACCAR in McKinney, TX over the last 8 years, until his retirement at the end of 2025. 

He was, above all else, a devoted husband who took immense pride in loving and caring for his wife of almost 30-years, Lolly Starkweather. Both members of a dance club in the early 1990’s, Michael danced his way right into her heart and never stopped. Little did he know, he was stepping into a life with adult-aged BONUS kids and grandchildren – he took it like a Champ and loved them as his own from the very beginning. To them, he will always be known as “Big Mike or Mikey”.

Big Mike was an enthusiast for cooking and, perhaps even more, loved to eat! The kitchen was a place of gathering, where he was always ready to lend a hand. Michael’s love for family-time over a shared meal, a special drink or two, and playing games, was his happy place, no matter the occasion, he loved being with family.

If you knew Michael, you knew his "one-liner" comebacks. He could diffuse a tense room or send a whole table into fits of laughter with just a few perfectly timed words. Coming from someone who was very calm and gentle, not a loud personality, made his comebacks that much funnier. That quick wit remained his trademark, even as he faced the incredibly difficult challenges over the last two years. His resilient spirit and calming sense of humor remained a testament to the man he was. 

While we mourn his loss, we find peace in knowing Michael is finally free from pain. We like to imagine him somewhere quiet, with his dog Chance (aka Bear) in his lap, a glass of tequila in hand, and a smile of content on his face. 

Michael is survived by his wife and true love, Lolly Starkweather; his bonus-children, Candy Bonilla (and husband Robert) and Tony Smith (and wife Evelyn); three bonus-grandchildren, Taylor (and husband Al), Ava, and Naomi; and his bonus-great-grandchild, Kai James. 

He is also survived by his two brothers, Robert Starkweather, and Raymond Starkweather (and husband Greg Hausdorf); his nephews, Nathan Starkweather(and wife Shelby, along with their four children – Ember, Ash, Kindle, Koal) and Trevor Starkweather (and his partner Peyton Lundy, along with their son - Carson); and a vast community of friends. 

Michael was preceded in death by his loving mother, Helga Starkweather, his father, Robert Starkweather, and his sister-in-law, Dedri Starkweather. 

A celebration of life will be held in his honor on Monday, March 30th, 2026, at Charles W. Smith and Sons Funeral Home, 601 S Tennessee St, McKinney, TX 75069 at 10am. The family invites all who knew him to join them in sharing stories and remembering a life well-lived.