- Date Of Birth: October 17, 1942
- Date Of Death: February 27, 2017
- State: Michigan
Kenneth Blake Stark Jr.
Portland, MI
Born on October 17, 1942, the eldest son of Col. Kenneth B. Stark (Sr.) and Eleanor (Vergason) Stark, Ken passed away on Monday, February 27, 2017, at his home in Portland. Ken was a member of the United Methodist Church in Portland, where he participated in many activities.
Ken graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and ROTC programs in 1966. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army directly after graduation and joined the 88th Supply and Service Battalion in Vietnam. Ken participated in action in the Battle of Dakto (1967) and also during the Vietnamese Tet Offensive (1968). He received several medals including the National Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, and the Purple Heart.
After returning to civilian life, Ken pursued a career in college public relations work, serving as Public Relations Director for Adrian College in Michigan (1970’s and 80’s) and later for Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA. He retired in 1995, originally to Panama City Beach, FL and later to Portland, MI.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Diane Austin of Spartanburg, SC. He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Joanie (Gray) (Howard) Stark; one brother Bill Stark of Eagle, MI and his wife Janet; and three sisters Kathy McCarthy of Racine, WI and her husband Ed, Eileen Rose of Burton MI, and Vivian Young of Mentor, OH.
Ken is also survived by two children and their spouses; son Kenneth Blake Stark III and his wife Melissa of Grass Lake, MI and daughter Lisa (Stark) Tomshany of her husband Paul of Dexter, MI; as well as four grandchildren; Blake and Shandi Stark (both of Grass Lake) and Tony and Justin Tomshany (both of Dexter).
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