Donald was born near Tuscumbia Missouri in Miller County, on December 10, 1931 to Earl A. and Leona E. Stark. At an early age of three months his parents moved to New Mexico, settling in the Estachie Valley, east of Albuquerque. The family raised pinto beans and cattle. A few years later in life Donald rode his own horse to work on the farm. He had his own cattle brand which is still on record in New Mexico.
The family returned to their home in Eldon, Missouri in 1945. Donald received his elementary schooling in New Mexico and his Junior High and High School in Eldon. He attended Drury College in Springfield, earning a degree in Law Enforcement.
Donald entered the U.S. Navy and served in Long Beach, California on the USS Menifee, a troop transport in the Pacific. After service he returned home and worked the family business. Later he was employed as a Telegrapher for the Frisco Railroad. In 1959 he became employed with the U.S. Department of Justice receiving his training in Leavenworth, Kansas. He returned to Springfield to serve with the US Medical Center for Federal Prisoners for 23 years. He retired in 1982. While at the US Medical Center he was a foreman in the mechanical service where he supervised a crew of of three civilian sub-foremen and twenty inmates. Their job was to maintain the facilities of the Medical Center. Donald was a third generation carpenter and followed the carpentry work which shows in his home he built for his family.
One of his greatest enjoyments was building, restoring and flying airplanes. Aviation was a life time enjoyment. He and his son Richard learned to fly together. His favorite project was building an airplane called a “Falco” which was an Italian designed all wood airplane.
Donald and his wife Gertha E. Stark were married November 18, 1951 in Eldon, Missouri. They are the parents of DonElla Christine(Stark) Strickbine and her husband, Cary W. Strickbine. They have two sons, Alexander Strickbine and his wife Tracy, and Eric Strickbine, all from Sandsprings, Oklahoma.
Richard W. Stark and his wife Ginger Stark, of Willard. Richard’s son K. Aaron Stark from a previous marriage to his mother Paula. Aaron serves as a Sergeant in the United States Space Force currently in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Richard and Ginger’s daughter, Lindsey N. Smith serves as a dietitian in Willard.
Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024 at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, with burial at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, at Greenmore Cemetery, Barnett, MO.