FAYETTEVILLE — David Lee Starling,

age 73, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on February 24, 2023, at his home. He was born on December 8, 1949, in Booneville, Ark., to Grady Starling and Laurine (Whitecotton) Starling. David married Candace Christensen on February 14, 1981 in Springfield, Mo..

David worked more than 40 years in the transportation business, starting with the Frisco Railroad in 1971, which later merged with the Burlington Northern, where he spent 12 years with various roles in rail operations. David joined Mi-Jack Products in 1983, where he was integral in starting their ITS Intermodal division. He joined American President Lines in 1988 as a Managing Director for rail operations in Chicago, and later Atlanta. In 1993, David was named Managing Director of the Philippines for APL, and in 1995 took the same role with APL for the Hong Kong/ South China region, later becoming Vice President for Central Asia with APL.

1999 led David to Panama, where he was named President and Director General of the Panama Canal Railway Company, responsible for the reconstruction of the railroad and its operations. In 2008, David joining Kansas City Southern as President and COO, elected on to the KCS Board of directors in May of 2010, and in August of 2010 was named President and CEO of KCS. David was named the Railway Age 49th Railroader of the Year. Most recently, David and son, Jeff, have managed a family investment office, Starling Investments, out of his home in Fayetteville.

David was an avid traveler, and the family spent many years overseas traveling the world. He had a love for boats and being on the water. David loved his Fayetteville home, his sanctuary, where he would enjoy the comforts awarded by his successful career, especially watching his Razorbacks in the cabana. Most importantly, David loved his family, and taking care of the people around him. His generosity was unmatched.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Laurine Starling; and brother, Gary Starling.

David is survived by his wife, Candace Starling; daughter, Lori Lemmons and husband Mike of Munford, Tenn.; sons, Zach Starling

and fiancee Amy Clinton, of Perth, Australia, and Jeff Starling and girlfriend Sophie Greer of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Cody Lemmons and wife Michelle, Shelby Lemmons, and Wyatt Lemmons; great-grandchildren, Kinley and Beckett; and an extended family of in-laws, nieces and nephews who were very dear to him.

There will be a celebration of life this summer in Fayetteville, but those plans have yet to be finalized. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and the Children’s Safety Center of Washington County in Arkansas. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville.