- Date Of Birth: December 28, 1936
- Date Of Death: April 25, 2022
- State: Florida
Richard (Dick) Stark, Jr.
December 28, 1936- April 25, 2022 (age 85)
Richard Stark Jr., 85, of Merritt Island, Florida, formerly of Ormond Beach Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by his adoring family on April 25, 2022.
He was a devout Christian, loving Husband, Father, Grandaddy, Great Grandaddy, Brother, Uncle, Role Model, Friend, and Blessing to all who knew him.
Richard was preceded in death by his oldest son Richard L. Stark in 2005.
Richard is survived by Susan Stark, his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, his loving children Lynn Stark McDonald (Chuck), Catherine Stark, David Stark, James Stark, Jennifer Bell Bodi (Brian), and his sister Janet Ranney.
His family was his life and he enjoyed beyond all measure being Grandaddy to 10 grandchildren; William Stark, Grant Gomes (Katie), Brandon Smith (fiancé Shelby), Caitlin Smith, Caroline Cullers, Haley Gradert (Tyler), Dawson Stark, Madelyn Bodi, Emily Bodi, Cassandra Bodi and 5 great-grandchildren; Kennedy Gomes, Bruce Gomes, Annabelle Wilson, Daelynn Wilson and Easton Wilson. He was also Uncle to his niece, Sharon Schnatterly (Eric) and nephews, Thomas (Melinda) & John (Kelly) Ranney.
Dick was born in Memphis Tennessee in 1936, where he lived with his sister Janet and his parents Martha Bell and Richard Stark, Sr.
Later, the family moved to Florida where his father opened Dick Stark Carpets in Daytona Beach.
After graduating from Seabreeze High School, Dick pursued his higher education at the University of Florida. (Gator Fan through & through!)
Dick was called back to Daytona Beach his freshman year to help run the family business when his father became ill.
He proceeded to run a successful business with integrity and honesty over the next 4 decades, while he and Susan raised their 6 children in Ormond Beach and strived to provide an environment where all were made to feel welcome and treated as extended family at the Stark home.
Later in life he was able to transition the family business to his son, David.
Throughout the years, he was an integral part of the community in multiple ways.
Upon retirement he and Susan were able to achieve one of their lifelong dreams of living aboard a 45-foot Trawler appropriately named, Timeout. For the next 5 years, they were able to minister to all in their path, through their connection with the Christian Boating Association.
He was the ultimate husband and family-man. Dick’s smile and friendly personality was a common trait, and he never met anyone who did not feel special, loved, and welcome within the first few minutes of meeting him.
The simplicity at which he viewed, experienced, and shared his life was extraordinary:
Love the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, treat others with respect and dignity and always say I love you.
He was true example of a brother in Christ.
Our dad has left a loving and beautiful legacy as a Christian man and will forever be our Guardian Angel. Rest in peace, dad. We love you.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
