Reuben Donald Stark

REUBEN DONALD STARK APR 15, 1925 - OCT 29, 2010 Reuben Donald Stark, 85, peacefully went home to the Lord on Friday, Oct. 29th. Reuben was born in Cosmos, Minn. His family moved to the Modesto area in January 1935. He attended and graduated from Modesto High School and Modesto Junior College. Reuben joined the Navy when he was 17 years old and proudly served during WWII as a radar operator on the Destroyer, USS Cowell. On November 30, 1945, Reuben married his sweetheart, Nancy Jo Presnell, of Modesto. They had four daughters that he loved dearly and was very proud of each one of them. He loved to hear them sing together. Starting in 1948, Reuben managed the shoe department for J.C. Penny's in Modesto and Madera. From 1953-1977 he served as the manager of the Foster Farms Drive-In Dairy on McHenry Ave. He then became the administrator for Neighborhood Manor retirement home from 1977-1992. During much of Reuben's working and retirement years he also raised chickens on his ranch for Foster Farms. With Nancy, Reuben was a charter member of Modesto's Neighborhood Church. For more than 50 years, he attended faithfully and was a fixture at the front door of the church, where he greeted congregants with his trademark smile and dimpled chin. Reuben was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. But above all else, Reuben loved his family. He will be remembered most for his love and devotion to his family, church and country - all of which he prayed for daily. Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Selma Stark, and his brother Lowell. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, of 64 years. He is also survived by his brother Eugene (Betty) Stark of Oakdale, his sister Eunice Johnson of Modesto, his daughters, Linda (Dan) Phelps of Bend, OR., Margie (Jim) Feramisco of Clovis, CA., Carol (Gary) Baker of Modesto and Debbie (Doug) Wesson of Modesto. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. A memorial celebration of Reuben's life will be held on Saturday, November 13th at 11 a.m. at Bethel Church 2361Scenic Dr., Modesto. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made tothe Reuben D. Stark Memorial Fund'' at Neighborhood Church, 5755 Sisk Rd. Modesto, CA 95356-9756. www.modbee.com/obituaries