- James John Stark, age 76, formerly of Appleton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Jim was born in Appleton on June 15, 1938 to the late John Joseph and Marcella Lorena (Meidam) Stark. Jim was a handful as a child for his mother and father - he was very strong, opinionated, and hard headed. He made an attempt in the United States Army as a "lifer" but his bad knees led him in another direction. As a young adult, Jim was a chef at many fine restaurants in Wisconsin. For Jim, eating was not just delicious, it was a hobby - and boy did it show. Later, he worked for Pascagoula Mississippi School Board for twenty-five years until his retirement.
Jim loved to travel and scuba dive the West Indies and Bahamas with his family. In his older years, his mind wanted to live and play like he was still young, but his body grew too tired from living life to the fullest. Jim's family saw it was time and made him comfortable until God called him. His daughter told him not to be afraid, and he held on until his mother took his hand from hers. Jim remembered as a child swinging on a swing set with the sun on his back and a smile on his face. During his last journey, he jumped off his swing from its highest point towards the sun. God reached out and caught him, and took him home. Please don't feel sorrow that he is gone from Earth - instead, rejoice that he has gone home with his family and friends in Heaven.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Shelly Stark Macon, Pensacola, FL; two sons: James Jon and Jeffrey Paul Stark; four grandchildren: Ashley Nicole Macon, Michelle Stark, Dusty Ann Stark, and Amy Jean Garcia; two great grandchildren: Connor Edward Leighton and Jimmy Garcia Jr.; his sister Katherine Elizabeth Ely, Columbus, GA; and three nephews: Donald, Douglas, and David Ely.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Peter R. Stark.
A graveside service for Jim will take place at 1 pm on Monday, January 5, 2015, at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may visit from 12 noon on Monday at the Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel until the cortege leaves for the cemetery.
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1938 - 2014 (76 years)
Obituary
