James Stark

1935 - 2015

James B. "Jim" Stark
March 6, 1935 - May 28, 2015
James B. "Jim" Stark passed away peacefully May 28, 2015, after a relatively short, but valiant battle against cancer.
He was born March 6, 1935, in Spokane, WA to Charles R. Stark, III and Ruth Pharr Stark. His father's job created opportunities for a great deal of travel. While growing up, he lived in several different cities including Nampa, Spokane, and Klamath Falls, OR. He fondly remembered his family's vacations at one of his favorite places, Crater Lake. He had planned to visit Crater Lake again this summer.
He eventually ended up in Idaho Falls, ID, where he graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1953; the first graduating class in the new building. He met (Dorothy) Ann Pelot. They were married on November 9, 1953. From this marriage three children were born. They were later divorced.
Shortly after that, he moved to his childhood hometown of Nampa, ID. He met Patricia Sipes and they married, February 23, 1980. From this marriage four children were born. They were later divorced.
He met Pam McIlhargey and they were married September 5, 1987. She had two small children, Jaramey and Jessica, whom he adopted and raised as his own. Jim and Pam had been separated more than four years at the time of his death.
As a boy and young man, Jim was involved in Boy Scouts. He achieved the level of Eagle Scout, Post 520, Ogden, Utah, on November 23, 1951, according to the card he continued to carry in his wallet. He spoke of a time the Boys Scouts chartered a train cross country from Klamath Falls, to attend the Boys Scouts Jamboree in Washington D.C. Once there, he was fortunate enough to be in the front row where he met and shook hands with the guest speaker and future president, Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jim served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1961. During this time, he served on bases in WA, CO, and GA, as well as in Germany. He was assigned to entertainment which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Jim held many jobs including: route driver for Wonder Bread/Hostess; sales for Sears; district manager for 7 Eleven; pricing specialist for Consolidated Freightways, where he served as the Managing Editor of the employee newsletter "The Rate Break"; and, driver for Brown Bus Company. He drove a route, bus 47, for Idaho Arts Charter School and was looking forward to earning his ten year service award in June. He was sad he was not able to say goodbye to the students. A few years ago some of the students choreographed and put together a video, which they later posted to YouTube, of "The Wheels on the Bus" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nUfbeC-JyI) featuring him as the driver. Jim often volunteered for charter assignments and made many trips back East to pick up new busses for the company. Each year he was especially honored to drive busloads of people to and from parking areas for holiday ceremonies at the Veteran's Cemetery. He wrote the poem "Our Thanks to You" in honor of the veterans. The poem was printed and distributed with the program for the holiday ceremonies.
Every chance he got, Jim could be found along a stream, lake, or river with a fishing pole in hand; at times wearing waders and at times in a float tube. He loved watching baseball, car racing, and football. Jim enjoyed listening to instrumental and classical music. He was also known to make creative pancake combinations on Sunday mornings; olive pancakes, peanut butter pancakes, sunflower seed pancakes, and many more. It was always a surprise. Oh, and he loved eating at Cracker Barrel!
Jim was quick to write a poem for any occasion. When he read that California planned to institute a "snack tax," he wrote a poem to their governor and sent a copy to then Idaho Governor, Cecil Andrus. Governor Andrus responded with a poem of his own. While in Las Vegas to receive an award for one of his poems he was asked to write a poem on the spot without a particular subject. This is the result:
A Poem, by Jim Stark
A poem is a picture, one painted with words.
Poems are as varied as the songs of the birds.
They may be happy, sad, or even full of hope.
One could possibly warn of the dangers of dope.
The picture is different for each who may read.
Some may see beauty and yet others see greed.
You can feel the warmth or may shiver from cold.
Maybe it leaves you timid or feeling quite bold.
Poetry allows us to slip our earthly bond.
She is a fairy godmother, complete with wand.
To see inside my dreams, pick a poem and read.
It can take you somewhere or may fill a need.
Enjoy a poem, you can share it with a friend.
Write a poem, paint your picture without end.
I hope you make your poetry vivid and true.
I look forward to reading a painting from you.

Jim is survived by his 10 children; Linda (Matthew) Johns, James "Jim" Stark, Jr., Cindy (Tim Deck) Stark, Trichelle Stark, Anthony (Kate) Stark, Daniel (Tabitha) Stark, Donald (Jolie) Stark, Jaramey (Erin) Stark, Jessica (Moses) Salazar, Krystal (Alex) Garcia, 30 1/2 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, two sisters Charlotte (Ralph) Hall and Mary Dee (James) Goettsche, three nephews and "The Best Neighbors Anyone Ever Had" honorary family members Glen and Shirley McFarland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three grandchildren, one son-in-law and both brothers-in-law.
The family wishes to extend an extra special thanks to Glen and Shirley for all the love, support and candy they provided. Each day Jim was able to have solid food, they would bring his favorite candy bar, Zagnut (or as Shirley sometimes called it, Lug nuts) from one of his favorite places, Cracker Barrel.
A viewing and visitation are being held at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave South, Nampa, ID, on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by a service from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service and burial will take place at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Boise, ID, on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 11:00. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Idaho Arts Charter School, a veteran's group or your favorite charity.