On the night of December 6, 2020, Starr passed away in Rosebud, MT. He was 65 years old.
John Starr Plympton was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on March 19, 1955 to Thomas John Plympton and Billie Hoke Caldwell Plympton; the youngest of three children.
Starr’s childhood was spent in Philip, SD until 1959 when the family moved to the Bill Locke place on the Yellowstone River. He said living on the 650 section ranch was a fairytale. In 1960 he moved to the Barley place on Sand Creek and lived there until he graduated in 1973 from Rosebud High. Starr was born with God-given talent and natural athleticism. He excelled at anything he tried; from calf roping, team roping, track, and basketball, Starr was the best. In high school he was the state champion team roper and took runner-up in the calf roping and excelled during basketball career.
After high school, Starr went to Arizona and worked on John Wayne’s feedlot taking care of his horse. Rumor has it he might have taken that said horse out for an unsupervised spin or two… He moved back to Rosebud and was hired on as a beekeeper for Simpson Apiaries. It is there that he met and married Ellen Marie Condotta on January 15, 1983. Together they had two children; John Thomas & Katherine (Katie) Ellen. After the birth of John, they moved to Laramie and Starr found himself logging and, in true “Starr- fashion,” he excelled. He continued logging in Laramie at the Rob Roy Reservoir and throughout the forest in Custer, South Dakota before moving back to Rosebud and welcoming Katie.
Starr had a true obsession with trapping. It was a passion that consumed him. Understanding the ways of a coyote, was his life’s work. He spent countless hours simply observing them. It might be said that “Starr Plympton killed more coyotes than Parvo.” He worked as a county trapper until 2000 and then continued as a ranch hand and fur trapper until his death. Aside from cowboying, hunting, and trapping, Starr enjoyed gardening and growing enough for everyone. He had a strong faith in God and found comfort reading his bible. He was recently baptized in the reservoir on the Fitzgerald Place, up Horse Creek. He was a kind and gentle man who loved horses and his two faithful companions Frank (deceased) and Junior.
He was truly, one-of-a-kind. Starr leaves behind a legacy of stories and laughs as one of the “last true cowboys.” He was a natural cowboy; coffee, cigarette and rope in hand, pistol on hip and gutting a deer with a pocket knife. He was always willing to help and was liked by everyone. Those that knew Starr said he was quick-witted, funny and the first to give you his last $5 or the shirt off his back. His humble personality and calm demeanor attracted many. Starr also battled many demons and was at times, his own worst enemy. There is comfort in knowing that he is free of those battles.
Starr Plympton was preceded in death by: his parents; Tom and Billie, nephews; Tucker Plympton and Larry Ross, faithful companion “Frank” and many close friends.
Starr is survived by: his son John Swenson of Miles City; daughter Katie (JR) Lund of Winnett; four grandchildren; brother, Rocky (Carol) Plympton of Rosebud; sister, Justine Plympton of Cayucos, CA; niece, Toni and nephews, Ryan, Forest and Lincoln, and his loyal pal “Junior,” as well as many friends that he considered his family.
A very sincere and special thank you to the Rosebud Community and those that were always there for Starr. The Buck Family, Keith (Brenda) Stabelfeldt, Rocky (Carol), Brian Schwend & Jesse Hahne, you meant more to him than words can describe.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, MT with a luncheon to immediately follow. Private family inurnment will be held in the Rosebud Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Peegy Quinlan Certain says
My sincere condolences to the Plympton family.
May God’s comforting peace be with you.
Susan Stabelfeldt says
Rocky and Family,
So sad to hear of Starr’s passing. I visited with him not long ago. Will miss my lifelong friend. Prayers to all of you.
Lori Reierson says
To the Plympton Family,
So sorry of Starr’s passing he will be missed, You are all in my thoughts and prayers
Lori and Kenny Reierson
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences.
Clenora Quinlan says
Oh man I really enjoyed being friends with Star and Junior. Gathering Lee Ranch cattle with him. We’ll all miss Star.
Jim Cookman says
Our condolences go out to the Plympton Family.
The Davis Family says
To the Plympton Families our thoughts and prayers are with you all . Starr was a very gentle man and very kind he will truly be missed by everyone. A lot of memories that will never be forgotten.
Roberta Myrstol says
So sorry to hear of the passing of Starr! He was one of a kind. My condolences to all the Plympton family. May he rest in peace.
Yvonne Goodson says
My prayers to the Plympton family. Starr will be missed by many. He was truly one of the “Last Cowboys”.
Myra Stabelfeldt says
My prayers sent to the Plympton family. So sorry to hear the passing of Starr. He was a true cowboy. God Speed Starr!
sharon cope says
Prayers to the Plympton family. So sorry for your loss. Sharon
Diane Welbes says
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Jennifer Ferguson Johnson says
Im so sorry for your loss, to the Plympton family and friends you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Allan Seleg says
The Allan Seleg Family says
To the Plympton families. So sorry to hear about the passing of Strawberry.
Jamie Cox says
I’m so sorry for your loss. You and family are in my thoughts and prayers
Debbie Anderson says
Rocky and Carol,
I am so very sorry to hear of Star’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Debbie Anderson
Roy & Arlene Pabolo says
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Starr, was surprised at his age! Still thinking of you as kids!
Our condolences to all of the Plympton Family.
Darla Paul says
Plympton Family,
So sorry to hear of Starr’s passing. My thoughts are with you all.
Nordstrom's and Beckham's says
“Tommy” as Starr always called him says that Starr could anything and do it well. Rope, basketball and not a mean bone in him. He will be missed. Love to all
Diana Elwood says
Chris and I send our condolences to all the Plymptom family at your time of loss, God bless and keep you.
Sue & Mike Ammons says
Love and prayers are with each of you at this most difficult time. Soooooo many good memories. RIP Starr.
Flint Fleming says
To Starr’s family, thought and prayers to all, I was privileged to have Starr as one of my best friends , we shared sports , rodeo and just everyday life, God Bless till we meet again Starr!
Rocky and Edna says
Many good times going to miss ya buddy
Diana says
Sending my condolences to Starr’s family. Keeps the memories close to your heart.
Angie Treible says
My condolences to Starr’s family. Starr was a great friend to me, and I am sad that he is gone from this earth. He was always willing to listen to my sob stories and give me advice. We spent a lot of time throwing darts and laughing and when I needed to hear it, he would say ” toughen up woman! ” I haven’t spent a lot of time with him in the last few years, but I know he would have been around if I needed him. He was truly one in a million. May you be at peace now Starr.
Larry Hull says
I am truly heartbroken with the passing of Starr! My memories include being his English teacher, coaching him in both football and basketball, and finally the many hunting excursions with him. Though it has been a number of years since I had seen him, I know I will have those lasting memories! May he Rest In Peace!
Tabatha Hallman says
So sorry for your loss. Starr will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Walt Lloyd says
Rest In Peace Starr
Rob Shipley says
About 25 years ago, Starr, sold me a 34 foot Fruehauf flatbed trailer for $500.00. It was for hauling hay and such.
Our deal was, “Rob, you can pay me when you can. ” It was stolen from me several years later, but, I will enjoy Starr and his heart as big as a D8 Cat in heaven for all of eternity as is GOD’s Holy Plan.
Doran and Sandy says
So very sorry to hear of Starr’s passing. Many, many memories. I remember one time when I was bartending in Rosebud he put a coiled up a dead rattlesnake in the cooler. He sat there so patiently waiting for me to go into that cooler. He was as full of mischief as he was of kindness. Plymton family he will be greatly missed. May you Rest In Peace Starr.
Dean Holmes says
we ask god to bless him with safe passaage to heaven. Safe fravels Starr.
Deb and Bill Anderson says
So sorry to the Plympton family. Starr was not only a heck of a hand but a really nice person and he is really going to be missed. Rest in Peace Starr and I hope you have fun roping with your favorite horse in heaven.
Jonnie Gilbert Taylor says
Sorry to hear of Starr’s passing.
George and Mary Simpson says
Rocky and family
Do sorry to here about Starr passing,our thoughts and prayers are with u all,those great memories and stories. George remembers the story with the super glue in someone’s nose, and all the days of extracting. Starr may you rest in peace till we meet again.
Lloyd Family says
We send our condolences and prayers to you plympton family
~ I will miss cutting it up with ol strawberry Starr man we used to really get going and I know he loved it when I left him no choice but to dance with me. Rip friend until we meet again ~Kayla
~ he definitely was a good ol boy that you could learn a lot from ~Dan
~ he will be greatly missed
Travis and Becky Willson says
We were just in Rosebud last weekend and were talking about how Starr was doing.So sorry to see this news. We have many stories and memories of him and his family. Condolences to all 0f his family and friends
Brian Stabelfeldt says
My heart goes out to the family and all the great friends Starr had in his life. I always liked being around him and was in awe
Had how talented he was everything. And I use to laugh so hard at his little Johnny jokes. I will miss him. God BLESS
Earl and Alicia Brewer says
So sorry to hear if Starr’s passing. He was a good hearted man. God bless you Rocky and Carol.
Sharon Borla says
Starr was one of a kind, so capable and knowledgeable, and a true friend to so many. My sincere sympathy and prayers for comfort to his family and friends. RIP, my friend.
Duane& Marie Simpson says
Star an lou shared my first beer with me. I felt so blessed to be with men …real men Lou’s brother was joe he was a big part of my memory. People think I got screwed as a child.. Starr, Rocky ,Greg and my dad ,Made me who I am … (not sure it’s a good thing )all love … I’m so sad I could
No tell Starr what he meant to me! I tried 10 years later to tell him… he would have no part of it!! He’s burned into my memory, I’ll never forget him!!❤️
Deidra says
It broke my heart to read that Starr had passed. My time in Forsyth was made warmer because of Starr and Frank and the small handful of those with hearts half as big. He was a good man and a great friend.
My deepest and sincerest condolences to Starr’s family. He will be missed.