Walter Alton Stark

Walter Alton Stark was born on November 19, 1925 in Hope, Arkansas. The eldest of five children, Walter was 16 in 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The very next day, he skipped school and attempted to sign up for military service, but was turned away because he was too young. At 17, his parents, Edd and Josephine Stark, gave him permission to enlist in the United States Navy where he served for the next four years. At 21, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was involved in the loading and dispatch of nuclear weaponry. In 1946 he had earned the Honor Graduate Award of his class in the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. He achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, and retired from the Air Force at the age of 46. During his last active duty, he was stationed at Clark Air Force Base in Manila, Philippines. Throughout his years of military service, he received many letters of excellence in performance of his duties. On our most recent Veteran's Day, when thanked for his military service, he replied "It was an honor and a privilege to serve this country." He was a patriot, indeed. After his retirement from the Air Force, he was employed for 20 years by the Bureau of Reclamation at Shasta Dam and later at Oroville Dam. He worked as a power plant operator at both facilities. He was an avid lover and rider of motorcycles, and rode them from the time he was 15 until the age of 76, when health issues forced him to quit riding. He also loved electronic gadgets of all kinds, and taught himself how to program and use personal computers when they first became available in the late 1980's. He was a great story teller, lover of country music, and generous to his family and friends. He was married to his beloved (late) wife Helen for 45 years. They had two children, Michael and Michelle, of whom he was always very proud. Walter moved to Yreka in 2005, where he resided at Meadowlark Assisted Living. He passed away peacefully on January 25, 2012 at the age of 86 after a brief stay at Linda Vista Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ashland, Oregon. Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; parents Edd and Josephine Stark; sisters Bettie and Mary; and brother Carroll. Walter will be greatly missed by his family; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Gloria Stark of Redding; daughter, Dr. Michelle Lynn Stark and son-in-law Dr. Don Solus of Yreka; grandchildren Isaiah and Isabella Solus of Yreka; and youngest sister Annette Barlow of Denton, Texas. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He will also be dearly missed by his favorite motorcycle buddy, Roy Shelley of Redding. Walter's family would like to thank the staff members of both Meadowlark and Linda Vista for their outstanding care and compassion for our beloved father, brother and friend. At Walter's request, no services will be held.

Walter Alton Stark

November 19, 1925 - January 25, 2012