Donnel Cleve Stark
Born: Ada, OK - June 23, 1938
Died: Las Vegas, NV - November 16, 2005

Don passed away at 5:30 P.M. PDT in Las Vegas, he was in the hospital at the time and they were testing him to see what his problem was with the pain. Don died of an aortic dissection (in short his aorta ripped open.) His death was instant.

Don left Lewiston in July 1957 and enrolled in Highline High School in Burien, Washington. Don left school in December 1957 and joined the U. S. Navy where he received his GED. He spent more than twenty-three years in the military service for our country going from Seaman to Navy Chief; he was also a Vietnam Vet. His last station was at The Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois, where he taught and was an instructor in Radar for the last 3 years of duty. Don was well thought of by those shipmates he served with.

Don was also a history buff when it came to WW II. He spoke with numerous people who served in WW II that stated Don knew as much about it as though he had served with them. Don had an extensive library on the subject and he was an avid reader.

After he retired from the military service he took, and passed, an electronics course to become and electrician. However, due to the beginnings of crippling arthritis he had to abandon that field and went in Real Estate, first as a salesman and then as a broker. Don completely retired in 1995 when his arthritis was so crippling and he was in constant pain. Those who didn't know him very well or had just met him didn't know he was in pain as he didn't talk about it and still had the happy and contented personally he had always had.

Don had twins Kimberly and Karyn living in Seattle and a third daughter Mary. He has 6 grandchildren, 4 girls and 2 boys. Don was married to his last wife Maria, for over twenty-three years and had two stepsons, Roger and Ricky. He was very proud of his own and his extended family and they loved him.

Don is survived by his wife Maria, daughters Kimberly and her husband Lon, Karyn, Mary and her husband Anthony, stepsons Roger González, Ricky and wife Krista González, and a sister D. Loretta Roberts and husband William.

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Loretta, Don’s sister, lives in Kentucky; her e-mail address is: Billoretta1019@aol.com

Note from Russ Mason
Donnie was in our class until the start of our Senior year when the family moved to the Las Vegas area. Donnie and his sister Loretta lived next door to me for about 3 years.