Gene Stary Passes - copied from
USPPA.com
It is with great regret that we inform the billiard community that Gene Stary, founder of the United States Pool Players Association, passed away in his sleep on Friday, January 4th.
Kenneth Eugene Stary, known by his friends as Gene, was born on April 17th, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He was the only child of Mr. Kenneth E.J. Stary and Mrs. Dorothy Hammerel. He lived with his mother until she passed away when he was 12 years old. He then moved to California to stay with his Aunt Florence.
He joined the Army in 1948 as part of the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He then served in Korea in 1953 as part of the 6th Infantry Division, where he received the Korean Service Medal with the Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
After his distinguished career in the military, Gene focused his considerable talent in sales and marketing in the auto industry, specifically as an outside sales representative for several wholesale auto parts distributors.
After a brief stint as the manager of the restaurant at the historic Mapes Hotel in Reno Nevada, Gene returned to the auto industry.
In 1968 he founded the United States Pool Players Association and turned his business pursuits to the design and development of California Billiards in San Jose in the early 1970s. Later in the early ?80s Gene designed and built the Great American Billiards in Sacramento. These rooms were two of the most prosperous ever developed in California. Great American Billiards continues on today as Hard Times Billiards in the same location.
Significantly, the focus of his business was billiards and the promotion of the game as a sport. He took this to the next level with the inaugural Reno Open & Pro Am Tournament in 1984, which continues annually to this day.
He is survived by his wife, Ambar Stary and two daughters, Sharin and Stacy, and one stepson, Jimmy.
Gene was particularly cautious about the sustainability of the United States Pool Player?s Association and wisely structured the business accordingly. As a result, Gene?s passing will in no way effect the operation of the association and the many new developments soon to be announced.
Sincerely,
The United States Pool Players Association Management
