JOHNNY CHARLES STARK,
age 88, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away on May 7, 2021. Jay (Johnnie) Stark was born September 10, 1932 in Pearson, Ark., to Charles Herman and Lucy Mae Stark. Jay was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Billy B. Stark and Wetzel H. Stark. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jessie M. Goff Stark; by his daughters, Joan E. Newman (Herb) of North Little Rock, Ark., Wyvonne Ora (Sam) of Springdale, Ark.; and son, Johnnie F. Stark (Jaime) of North Little Rock, Ark.; eight grandchildren: Cherish Newman of North Little Rock, Ark.; Sheena Calvert (Clifton) of Bella Vista, Ark.; Shawn Stark (Tara) of North Little Rock, Ark.; Joe Newman of North Little Rock, Ark.; Jason Ora of Fayetteville, Ark.; Rachel Ketcher (Tyler) of North Little Rock, Ark.; Anna Stark of North Little Rock, Ark.; Stacy Stark of North Little Rock, Ark. Jay also has 13 great-grandchildren: Sajon Newman, Landon Newman, Levi Newman, Gavin Ora, Abigail Stark, Dean Calvert, Wesley Ora, Sophia Ora, Caroline Calvert, Olivia Stark, twins, Jameson and Sam Ketcher, and Scarlett Stark.
Jay was a businessman, pilot, piano tuner, and a published author of From Poverty to Silvered Wings of Flight. He was a charter pilot who logged 4,000 hours in twin engine planes and was active in the Arkansas Aero Club, Arkansas Pilots Association, and the Confederate Air Force Organization (now known as Commemorative Air Force)—Razorback Wing in North Little Rock, Ark. Jay enjoyed gospel music, Barbershop Quartets, western movies, pool, and reading. Jay was a great story teller and will forever be remembered as a fun, playful Papa who enjoyed all of his grandchildren. In his later years, Jay enjoyed playing pool at the Hays Senior Center in North Little Rock, Ark.
Final resting place will be on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 1 p.m., with a visitation at the Olmstead Funeral Home, 601 W. Main Street, Heber Springs, Ark., 72543 with a graveside ceremony following at Pearson Cemetery, 389 Edgemont Road, Quitman, Ark., 72131. www.olmstead.cc.