Orson J. Stark

Orson J. Stark returned to the Father who gave him life on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at home, held in the arms of his loving family.

Jay was born November 10, 1933 in Ogden, Utah, the son of Oscar C. and Ada Anne Jaques Stark. On May 5, 1955, Jay married Sharron Jensen in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.

He graduated from Ogden High School, 1951, Weber State College, 1953, and served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956.

Beginning at the age of 13, Jay was employed by Lindquist Mortuaries. He then completed 20 years service with Dee's Corp. as a regional manager over Northern Utah and Las Vegas. In 1984 he returned to the funeral business representing Lindquist Mortuaries for Great Western Insurance Company. Jay excelled at everything he did in business, church, work, sports and as a parent and grandparent. In his years with Great Western, he received many awards, the most prestigious being the company''s National Counselor of the Year. In his room still hangs the plaque with his name inscribed in gold being the Number One Counselor for not only Utah but for the entire Western United States. He was also named to the President''s Club 12 consecutive years. He continued working the next 35 years until his health failed.

Jay loved sports, whether playing, coaching, refereeing or watching. He played shortstop on the undefeated San Antonio, Texas fast-pitch team, winning the 1955 first-place championship, against 32 teams from the USA and two teams from Canada. Jay never made an error during the whole tournament. The teams picture made the newspapers. He loved to golf, getting a hole in one on his 60th birthday.

In the 1980''s, Jay was in charge of a basketball foul shooting contest in Ogden City Mall sponsored by Dee's Corp. which contracted Bobby Hansen, the Utah Jazz star, to attend and judge. Bobby arrived before the contest meeting with Dad who instructed Bobby on what his role was. On a whim, Dad decided to shoot foul shots making 17 in a row. At the end of the event, Bobby came up to Dad saying, "It took me all day but finally beat your record." Dad shot once, it took a pro all day to match him.

Jay was blessed with many talents, gifts, abilities and attributes, but the one he held most precious and was the most evident, was unconditional love for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending their many ball games, dances and cheer competitions. Even in bad health, he did his best to attend grandchildren's events. He instigated many family traditions. He loved sleep-over's and cuddling his baby grandchildren.

Dad had genuine reverence, love and respect for little children and the underprivileged. Years ago, before any programs like Angel Tree, Dad somehow searched out a young family with small children that wouldn''t have a Christmas, buying gifts for the entire family including the parents. He also bought several turkeys, donating them to different charities. Jay was active in his community, was president of the South Ogden Businessmen's Association, the Lions Club, and South Ogden Junior High PTA. He was a member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis, Red Cross Board, and Ogden Chamber.

Jay was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Elders Quorum president, Stake Young Men's president, in five Bishoprics, as a High Councilman and a Temple ordinance worker for six years. He and his wife, Sharron, enjoyed a three-year mission at the Joseph Smith Memorial building.

All in all Jay was just a well rounded man.

He is survived by his son, Jeff (Billie) Stark, daughter, Jill (Chris) Dahlberg, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Helen, and wife, Sharron.

The family expresses a special thank you for the loving care and support from our Hospice family- Natalie, Bonnie and Camia�"who went above and beyond their duty.

A simple journal entry gives a small glimpse of this man's greatness which reads, "My Dad was the best Dad on the planet because he spent time with me!"

We, his family, are so fortunate to have been born into this man's life.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 16th at 11 a.m. at Lindquist's Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South.

The family will meet with friends on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Hooper Cemetery.

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