Obituary of Terrence Starling

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Terrence “Terry” Starling, born August 21, 1977 in Houston, Texas to Grover and Yolanda Starling, passed away on March 27, 2021.  Terrence was preceded in death by his grandparents, José Antonio Blandón, Juana Calero Blandón, Grover Starling II, and Vaudine Starling.  

He is survived by his wife, Sybil Michelle Rodriguez Starling; daughter, Isabella Calero; son, Nicholas Terrence; parents, Yolanda and Grover Starling III; siblings, Gregory Starling and his wife, Jennifer, and Alexandra Robinette and her husband, Robbie; cousin, Veronica Blandón; and aunts, Maura Cox and Maria Isabel Opalenik.

Terry grew up in the Clear Lake area of southeast Houston.  Terry’s lifelong commitment to education began with his father and mother: his father, highly regarded for his intellect and academic career, instilled in him a zest for learning; similarly, his mother, a Fulbright scholar, encouraged Terry’s continued curiosity.

As a young boy, Terry loved to spend all his time outdoors with his friends and little brother, seldom returning before the street lights came on.  Neighborhood football was his favorite pastime.  Once eligible for organized sports, he focused on football and excelled in a number of defensive positions.  He also spent many summers competing in Track & Field.

In grade school, Terry was chosen for the Gifted & Talented program. By high school graduation, he was offered an academic scholarship into the University of Texas Honors Program, however, chose first to serve his country through enlistment in the US Army.  Terry cherished his time in the Army, spent most of his career overseas stationed in Germany and deployed to Bosnia, and also traveled every chance he could. 

Following his military service, Terrence moved to Austin to start at UT, but quickly met his soulmate, Sybil, and they began planning a life together. The couple married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Houston in 2004 and moved to College Station shortly after, where he earned his Civil Engineering degree from Texas A&M University. Following graduation, Terrence and Sybil moved to Houston where he embarked on a successful career, beginning at Technip USA. They welcomed their pumpkin, Isabella, in March 2007 and their “little huevo,” Nicholas, surprised them with an early arrival in October 2008.  After many successful years in engineering, Terrence entered the banking world, and most recently worked as a strategy consultant for Accenture. Terrence’s deep faith and passion for learning inspired his support for Catholic School education and service to the Church, including counseling couples preparing for Marriage.

Terrence and Sybil loved to travel and took their family on many adventures, including trips to London, Italy, Hawaii, Nicaragua (his mother’s native country), California adventures, and even “glamping” in the Grand Canyon.  Terrence was a man of great style and is known for his signature pocket squares, classic button-down shirts, and really great hair! To say he was well-read would be an understatement, and all who loved him were familiar with his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, about anything from Nietzsche to modern pop culture. Another trademark was his unique ability to make all feel important. Terrence was passionate, and felt a deep love for friends and family; however, nothing came close to the love and devotion he felt towards Isabella and Nicholas, who always made him proud through their academic and athletic achievements.

A visitation with the family will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a Vigil and Rosary at 6:30 p.m., at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph’s Parkway in Houston, Texas. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, also at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The Rite of Committal will follow at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. in Houston, Texas.  A reception will be held immediately after the burial at the home of Drs. Michael Rodriguez and Marie Sohner at 9514 Tranquil Park, Spring, Texas, 77379.

Friends are invited to wear a unique pocket square to honor Terrence and all of the excellent fashion moments he gifted us with over the years. Children are welcome at all services. The church requires masks be worn by all attendees at all services. A very special thanks goes out to the many friends and families who have offered their support over the past week in very big ways, which has eased their burdens greatly.  The family is deeply touched and comforted by the love that surrounds them.