the starnes story
The STARNES COLLISION CENTER, formerly known as KC Starnes Auto Body Shop - has had many transformations.
Unlike many family businesses, Dennis and Casey Starnes have managed to keep the core traditions taught to them by their father, KEITH CLYDE STARNES.
keith STARNES - founder
Keith Clyde Starnes was called “The North Star.” Steady and bright, he quietly set the path for his sons Dennis and Casey to continue a family tradition of love and friendship. Keith was a devoted family man who worked long hours—even answering his wife Rosella’s frequent “Are you coming home soon?” calls. Whether he intended it or not, he spent his life repairing and tinkering with cars; Dennis recalls him sitting on a stool, sanding and working on vehicles.
the shop
Keith loved drawing. His precise detail is evident in early sketches of his dream building, reflecting the strategic design of the shop. His architectural vision and details are captured in the original drawings.
DENNIS STARNES - accounting
*Retired after 50 years
While Dennis studied Accounting at Central Piedmont, his dad asked him to be the shop’s accountant. Dennis recalls his father as quiet and laid-back but firm when needed, never rude, always clear. Dennis marked 50 years of that commitment. His father taught him to greet customers with a handshake and “hello,” and to value honesty, kindness, and truth.
Now retired, he stills comes in to help out when needed.
casey STARNES - president
The youngest of the four Starnes sons, Casey, remembers always coming to the shop after school and in the summers working alongside his dad.
As he grew, Casey was given tasks like washing cars and easy repair jobs - always under the tutelage of his father. Over time (and with age), Casey, like his dad, had to be hands on with any and all repair jobs.
the team
The success of the shop is also rooted in the dedication and spirit of the STARNES TEAM. From Experienced Technicians to Customer Service to the Paint Team and EVERYTHING in between…
Each member reflects our STARNES values and really cares about providing the best of themselves EVERYDAY to ensure our customers receive the best experience - THE STARNES EXPERIENCE.
the future
Drawing on a legacy of doing things the right way, Casey has guided The Shop into the 21st century, blending time-honored workmanship with modern technology and a commitment to diversity.
Building on his father’s steady, methodical approach—centered on safe, proper repairs and exceptional customer service—Casey transformed a humble repair garage into the competitive collision center it is today.
The result honors the past while embracing innovation, creating a service-driven future that stands as reliably as the North Star.
gallery of memories
