- Date Of Birth: October 23, 1931
- Date Of Death: December 30, 2020
- State: Utah
Donald Ralph Stark, age 89, passed away on December 30, 2020 in Ogden, Utah from complications following abdominal surgery. Don is the father of seven children, 26 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. He was born in Buhl, Idaho on October 23, 1931 to Charles and Florence Stark and is the oldest of four siblings. His family moved around during his childhood and he lived in Idaho, Montana, California, and Utah. He was highly involved in sports during his school years and participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He earned letters in multiple sports as well as awards for his athletic achievements. He was also the student body president of his high school. Due to his October birthday, he became eligible for the draft during his senior year of high school. At the age of 18, he left to serve in the Navy during the Korean War. He was stationed aboard the USS Kearsarge before he even graduated.
After returning from the war, he decided to move to California for work. He lived in Hollywood and enjoyed participating in young adult activities and dances. He met his sweetheart, Doris Poulsen, when they were paired as partners in a dance festival. After their courtship, they were married in the Los Angeles Temple on November 21, 1956. After their marriage, Don continued his pattern of moving around by relocating 26 times over the next 12 years (or at least that is how the story goes) before settling down in Layton, Utah in 1968 where he lived until his death. During those moves, they had seven children. Don told Doris if she married him, they would have a boy, a girl, then a boy, alternating gender with each successive birth. Funny enough, he was correct.
Don was employed as a welder and ironworker for his entire professional life. After having been an amateur body builder in his 20s his strength was said to be “the same as any two men.” He was the original Iron Man! He was part of the building crews for the Ogden Utah Temple, Utah Jazz Arena, and the massive exhaust stacks on the west side of Salt Lake valley. The only thing that defines his life more than this work ethic is his devotion to God and family. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. Many of those he served would be surprised to know how uncomfortable he was in front of a group and while engaging with new people. Despite that discomfort, he accepted every opportunity to serve and blessed many lives.
After retirement, Don and Doris enjoyed spending time with family and friends as they visited national parks, spent time in their winter home in St. George, and camped wherever their trailer would fit. Doris passed away in 2008. Since then, Don has spent his time trying to do all the things she would have done if she were still here. Even into his 89th year, he could be seen mowing his lawn, pulling hoses to water the yard, and cutting up branches. His family often remarked that, “There was just no quit in him!”
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Doris Stark; his son, Blair Stark; his grandson, Adam Dewey; and his daughter-in-law, Angie Stark. He is survived by his siblings: Dora Blades, Carol Nash, and Charles Stark along with his children and their spouses: Denise Dewey, Dwayne and Michelle Stark, Peggy and Kyle Dopp, Troy and Rose Stark, Heidi and Gary Basinger, and Chad and Katee Stark.
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