VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-Loyd Starrett, Esq., a prominent American Baptist layman who served as parliamentarian for the General Board and at numerous Biennial Meetings, died of a massive heart attack May 4. He was 72.
Starrett, who practiced law in Rockport, Mass., provided invaluable procedural advice for the denomination's national gatherings over three decades. He also was actively involved in the American Baptist Historical Society (ABHS) and in the Coalition for Baptist Principles.
Starrett served on the General Board from 1987 to 1999. He was an election district representative from 1987 to 1994 and began his work as the Board's parliamentarian in 1990. He also fulfilled that role for American Baptist Biennial Meetings-national gatherings of the denomination-beginning in 1991 and concluding in 2003.
"Loyd Starrett's expertise in parliamentary procedure, his profound knowledge of his denomination's history and his deep commitment to its current vitality helped move American Baptists through many challenging processes and decisions," said American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary A. Roy Medley. "We were blessed over many decades to be able to draw upon the unique Christ-centered gifts of leadership Loyd so freely offered."
As president of ABHS from 1994 to 2002, and previously as treasurer, Starrett provided a "generous contribution of time" through leadership, reports and legal advice, according to ABHS Executive Director Deborah Van Broekhoven.
"His sense of denominational history, structure and conflicts was nuanced and detailed--including an ability to recite from memory detailed provisions of SCOR and SCODS, the complicated documents that describe and define the structure of institutional and financial relationships within the denomination," Van Broekhoven noted. "At Board and Executive Committee meetings Loyd was always informal in style, but never without a clear sense of direction and purpose. Dr. Everett Goodwin, who served on the board with him, noted that Loyd's 'wry humor was often just the right ingredient to break through moments of confusion or controversy.'...One of his greatest gifts to the Historical Society was the recruiting and training of new board members and officers."
A memorial service for Loyd Starrett is scheduled for 2 p.m. June 17 at First Baptist Church, 221 Cabot St., Beverly, Mass. Condolences for the family may be sent to his wife, Elaine Starrett, at 23 Granite St., Rockport, MA 01966. Memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations: Center for Career Development and Ministry, 30 Milton St., Dedham, MA 02026 or the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/