Kevin Eugene Starks
December 6, 1966 — January 4, 2026

Kevin Eugene Starks, age 59, of Bloomfield, New Mexico, passed away on January 4, 2026, surrounded by love, with his wife and daughters holding his hands, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.

Kevin was born on December 6, 1966, in Montrose, Colorado, to Phyllis and Richard “Dick” Starks Jr. He was raised in Naturita, Colorado, where he lived and spent 45 years of his life, 25 of which he devoted as a volunteer firefighter for the Nucla/Naturita Fire Department. During his years of service, Kevin proudly held numerous positions and later served as President of the Tri-State Firefighters Life Members Association until the time of his passing.

Kevin and his wife relocated to Farmington, New Mexico, in 2011, which he called home for the remainder of his life. While living in Bloomfield, Kevin also served on the West Hammond Ditch Board, where he faithfully fulfilled the roles of treasurer, president of the board, and later director until the time of his passing.

Kevin is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Christina Nutter Starks of Bloomfield, New Mexico; his daughters and son-in-law, Tiffany Sealey of Fruita, Colorado, and Kelsey (Skyler) Heath of Bloomfield, New Mexico. He was a proud Papa to Madelynn Tomlinson of Fruita/Nucla, Colorado, and Audrey Heath and Alayah Heath of Bloomfield, New Mexico. He is also survived by his parents, Richard ‘Dick’ (Diana) Starks of Naturita, Colorado, and Phyllis Erwin-Knickerbocker of Bloomfield, New Mexico; his sisters, Kim (Mike) Searcy of Fruita, Colorado, and Koleen (Brian) Montano of Farmington, New Mexico; four nieces, two nephews, and four great-nephews; along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him dearly. Kevin will be remembered as a loving husband, the best dad, proud Papa, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and cousin. His dedication to service, strength, laughter, and unwavering love for his family and community will forever be cherished.

Services: January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Nucla High School Gymnasium, Nucla,

Where: Nucla High School Gymnasium, Nucla, Colorado.

A procession to his service will begin at the Naturita Fire Hall at 10:30 am, where Kevin will take his final ride with his firefighter brotherhood.

A luncheon will follow the service at the Nucla Fire Hall. In lieu of flowers, Kevin asked that donations be made to the following places: Tri- State Life Members Association PO Box 2803, Milan, NM 87021 Nucla- Naturita Fire Department PO Box 740, Nucla, CO 81424

Mayo Clinic in Phoenix AZ for Cancer Research.

88th Convention & Training School

HOST:

Milan Fire Department | Milan, NM

WHEN:

July 30, 31 & August 1, 2026

WHERE:

Held at the Grants Rodeo Grounds

LIFE MEMBER APPLICATIONS

Scholarship applications are in your department packet you will receive from the Secretary/Treasurer Cindy Hays. The deadline for summitting the application to Tri-State Life Member Association is May 1, 2026. Please make sure your application is completed according to the packet instructions. The completed application form sent to the address on the packet.

LIFE MEMBER ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

Tri-State Life Membership application must be completed and submitted to the TSFA Secretary/Treasurer by the deadline of May 1, 2026. The life member application was included in the department packet, is also available at (www.ts-fa.org) or you can request one from the TSFA Secretary/Treasurer via email.

ATTENTION DEPARTMENT MEMBERS

Keep a lookout for your convention packets from Tri-State for your membership invoices in January. Then the registration packet from Milan Fire Department later in the year.