John Stark Obituary

Stark
John "Ed" Edwin Stark
January 7, 1929 - December 30, 2017
2 parts J.P. Wiser's Deluxe Canadian Whiskey: 1 part Sweet Vermouth.
Mix over ice, stir until very cold and pour into a martini glass. Add a cherry, sip and enjoy!
~ Ed Stark's recipe for a Manhattan
How do you start crafting an obituary about a man who was many things to many people? How do you tell the world about all the qualities, quirks and experiences which made up Dad's life? How do you say it in a million words or less? How do you start, knowing that once you do, the reality of never seeing your father, brother, grandfather, uncle, mentor, neighbor and friend settles in?
You start with the facts.
John Edwin Stark was born in La Junta, Colorado on January 7, 1929 to Francis Middleton and Mary Louise Stark. He attended Onarga Military School in Onarga, Illinois. **FUN FACT: HE GRADUATED #2 IN HIS CLASS (Of 27)** Dad went on to graduate with a business degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1951. While attending CU, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and ROTC. During college, he operated Superior Gas and Oil (a gas station conglomerate with 2 locations!) **FUN FACT: HE'D BEEN RUNNING HIS DAD'S FULL SERVICE GAS STATION IN LA JUNTA SINCE HE WAS 12 YEARS OLD** The University of Colorado is also where he met and later married his partner in crime, Mary Frances Phillips. **FUN FACT: DAD PROPOSED TO OUR MOM OVER THE PHONE FROM A DINER WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP WITH HIS FATHER** Upon graduation, he returned to La Junta, Colorado to join the family furniture business - Stark's Furniture, a business started by his grandfather in 1897. In 1969, Dad moved the family to Colorado Springs to help with the explosive growth of Starks' Colorado Springs location. After his brother Larry developed a cutting-edge computer software system to manage their retail stores, they both decided to close the furniture stores and start a software company dedicated to helping furniture retailers throughout the world.
Dad was a story teller. He tempered his tales with his wicked sense of humor and attention to detail. Dad was continually complimented by the way that he smelled. He was always dressed to the nines. **FUN FACT: HE NEVER OWNED A PAIR OF JEANS** Dad also enjoyed good food and drink with family and friends. FUN FACT: AFTER IMBIBING IN ONE TOO MANY, HE CALLED THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND** He never met a dessert he didn't like. Dad enjoyed travelling the world, playing golf with his wife. **FUN FACT: DAD HAD A HOLE IN ONE IN 1979** One of the most admirable qualities was his ability to converse genuinely and confidently with anyone. He treated you like the person you were - not the job you had.
Dad was community minded. He served in the National Guard, retiring as Captain. **FUN FACT: HIS NATIONAL GUARD UNIT ("WEEKEND WARRIORS") WAS CONSISTENTLY VICTORIOUS OVER OTHER GUARD UNITS AND REGULAR ARMY IN THE ANNUAL ARTILLERY COMPETITION HELD IN THE SUMMERS AT FT. CARSON** Dad served as a City Councilman member in La Junta, Colorado. **FUN FACT: YOUNGEST MEMBER ELECTED TO CITY COUNCIL OF LA JUNTA, CO (AGE 26)** Dad was a proud member of Rotary International and enjoyed attending meetings worldwide. He was a member of the Garden of the Gods Club and was Past President & board member of the Colorado Springs Country Club.
Ed is survived by his son Brian (Suzzan) and granddaughter Ashley (Aaron); son Randy (Mary) and their son Ben. He is also survived by his brother Larry (Joy) and their children and grandchildren as well Shirley (Ed) Fancher of Amarillo, TX and their children and grandchildren and his many friends he made throughout all walks of life in all parts of the world. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Frances and sons Judson Lee and John Middleton.
A Celebration of Life and reception will be held on Friday, January 19th at 3 PM. The Colorado Springs Country Club ~ 3333 Templeton Gap Road, 80907
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 www.pikespeakhospice.org
Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, 610 Abbot Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 www.hsppr.org
Follow Dad's recipe, raise your glass and toast the ones you love.