John A. Stark of Covington, passed away October 30, 2014, at the age of 85. Mr. Stark was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Covington, where he faithfully taught Sunday school for several years. He was raised in Lawrenceville by his parents, Hope and Evelyn Stark. When his high school burned, he attended Emory at Oxford and North Georgia College. Mr. Stark graduated from the United States Naval Academy, in 1951, and served as a carrier pilot for the U.S. Navy. He later retired from the reserves as a Lieutenant Commander. After his active duty service, and once he completed graduate school at Georgia Tech, he married Frances Ginn, from Covington, and together they moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he worked for Honeywell. Several years later, they moved to Atlanta where Mr. Stark began his career at Lockheed. He retired in 1989, and they moved to Covington, in 1995. In addition to his work as an engineer, he was a registered land surveyor. Mr. Stark greatly enjoyed his Tuesday morning breakfast group, which met at Bojangles, as well as the monthly men’s lunch group. He enjoyed flying small airplanes and growing blueberries. Mr. Stark cherished his family, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Frances G. Stark; children, Lois S. and Felix Peña of Fairfax, Virginia, Elizabeth S. and Donald Dorsey of Dayton, Ohio, Stephen J. and Naomi Stark of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; grandchildren, Melita Peña, Carla Peña, Cameron Dorsey, John Dorsey, Danielle Dorsey, Rachel Dorsey, J.D. Stark, Marjorie Stark, Katherine Stark, Jacob Stark; brother and sister-in-law, Judge Homer M. and Mary Louise Stark of Good Hope; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mr. Stark will be held Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church of Covington, with Rev. Charles Reynolds officiating. Interment will follow, at 1:30 p.m., at Shadowlawn Cemetery, 87 Scenic Highway, in Lawrenceville. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall, Sunday, Nov. 2, from 4-6 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1139 Usher Street NE, Covington, GA 30014; or a charity of one’s choice.
Visit caldwellandcowan.com to place online condolences or call 770-786-7062.
