On September 9, 2026, Pasco County lost a longtime rancher, conservationist, and community leader. Jay B. Starkey Jr., who spent much of his life helping shape the region’s growth, died at age 90.
Born on October 19, 1935, Starkey came from a family with deep ties to the Tampa Bay area. His grandfather, William L. Straub, was the first editor of the St. Petersburg Times and an advocate for preserving St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront. His father, Jay B. Starkey Sr., established the family’s cattle ranching operation in Pasco County.
Starkey Jr. managed the family’s approximately 16,000-acre Anclote River Ranch, a property that would eventually become part of a changing landscape. Portions of the land were preserved for conservation and public recreation, while other areas became residential communities, including Longleaf and Starkey Ranch. His family’s connection to the land continued through Heartwood Preserve, a conservation cemetery his daughter, Laura, established.
His influence extended beyond ranching. During the 1970s, Starkey served on the Pasco County School Board as the county experienced rapid population growth. He helped guide the school system as it accommodated more students.
Away from public service and ranch work, Starkey had a lifelong love of music. He sang with the Master Chorale and played saxophone with the Bay Area Saxophone Quartet, balancing his days outdoors with evenings devoted to performing.
Starkey’s life reflected the changes that transformed Pasco County from a largely rural landscape into a growing part of the Tampa Bay region. His legacy includes both the development that shaped the community and the land preserved for future generations.
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