Rev. James J. STARK, Jr.

STARK, MINGEE, STARK-WILSON, WILSON, MCKAY, RICH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/10/2013 at 20:08:24

April 24, 1929 --– June 3, 2013

The Rev. James J. Stark Jr., Ph.D., was born April 24, 1929 in Georgetown, Illinois. On June 3, 2013 after a battle with recurrent skin cancer, Dr. Stark went to be with his Lord and Savior. He was preceded in death by his father, James J. Stark, Sr.; his mother, Verna Mingee; his step-mother, Mary E. Stark; and his brother, Kenneth Stark. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Geneva Stark; four children, Peggy Stark-Wilson and husband Roger Wilson, James J. Stark III and wife Lisa; Marilyn Stark; and Stephen Stark and wife Dayna; seven grandchildren: Amy Stark, Michael McKay, Sarah Rich and husband Darron, Stephen (Scott), Tyler, Kevin and Riley Stark and five great-grandchildren: Hannah and Eli Rich; Kailee and Cody McKay; and Gracie Stark.

Jim received his GED while in the Army; his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Olivet Nazarene College; his Master of Arts degree from Oklahoma City University and his PhD from the University of Oklahoma. He believed in higher education and encouraged everyone to get as much education as possible.

Rev. Stark was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1958, in El Reno, OK. He pastored in Nazarene Churches in Clarion, Iowa and Yukon, OK. He served in various capacities in the church throughout his lifetime. After receiving his Masters Degree he moved to Muskogee, OK to work as a counseling psychologist for the Veterans Administration Regional Office where he worked until retirement in 1989. He then worked part-time as a psychologist for MONARCH, a drug and alcohol rehab center and served as a counselor for Regency Park Church of the Nazarene.

Dr. Stark served in the US Army and was in Korea for one year in 1950. He was active in the Korean War Veterans Association until his death. He was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club and served on the board of Goodwill Industries for many years. His is a legacy of helping others. Pastor, counselor, teacher, father, brother, husband, friend, he is loved and will be sorely missed.

Viewing with the family will be Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Foster-Petering Funeral Home and on Friday at Muskogee First Church of the Nazarene from 10:00 -10:50 a.m. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Muskogee First Church of the Nazarene. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. in Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Friends may wish to remember Dr. Stark by making memorials to Muskogee First Church of the Nazarene World Missions, 2700 E. Peak Blvd., Muskogee, OK 74403. Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.

Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat - Muskogee, Oklahoma
June 6, 2013