Fay Leroy Stark

Fay Leroy Stark, 97, of Waco, TX passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2022. He was born on October 13, 1924 in Pawhuska, OK. In 1938 his family moved to Fordland, Missouri where he graduated from Fordland High School in 1943, and joined the U.S. Army serving in WWII in the Heavy Weapons Platoon, M Company, 3rd Battalion, 409th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division (Cactus). After the war he was part of the Occupation Forces-Central Europe and returned to the United States in 1946.

Lefty met the love of his life, Betty Jean Reynolds, in Wyoming in 1948 and they eloped in 1950. He worked as a roughneck, an oil field warehouse manager, and a petroleum troubleshooter throughout the Rocky Mountain States for over 20 years. In 1968 the family moved from Farmington, NM back to Fordland, Missouri to care for his father and farm. Lefty and Betty moved back to Farmington, NM where he became the Vice President of Refinery Operations for Thriftway Gasoline and Diesel in 1973. They retired to Sun City, AZ in 1992, where Lefty could enjoy his love of golf year round and continue as an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

He is survived by his wife of over 71 years Betty Jean Stark of Waco, TX. One son, Michael (Bobbi) Stark of Waco, TX, one daughter, Cindy (Ron) Schuder of Rogersville, MO, 6 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, 25 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents (Fred and Daisy), his stepmother (Edna), three brothers (Levi, Everett, Deb), one sister (Jean), and one stepson, Rick (Janie) Garnhart, of Ten Sleep, WY.

A visitation will be held at Lake Shore Funeral Home on Friday, February 18 in Waco, TX with burial in Fordland Cemetery, Fordland, MO.