STARK, RAYMOND O.

Rev. Raymond O. Stark, 86, of Conway, went to his eternal home on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. His death at Conway Regional Medical Center was the result of a fall at Blackwell Baptist Church, where he was Pastor.

Rev. Stark was the last surviving child of the late E. A. and Betty Lowry Stark of rural Hope, Arkansas. Six brothers and five sisters preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Doris Martin Stark of Conway; one son, Larry (Paula) of Dubuque, Iowa; three daughters, Wanda (Fred) Landers of Conway; Betty (Lee) Jones of Olive Hill, Kentucky; and Donna Hall of Conway; as well as 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

During his 56 years in the ministry, Bro. Stark pastored several churches in Arkansas and one in Illinois. The loving people of Blackwell Baptist Church in Blackwell, Arkansas, his present Pastorate, deeply mourn his untimely death. He was ordained in 1951 at Garrett Memorial Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas, under his long-time mentor and friend, the Rev. Elbert O’Steen.

Bro. Stark read the Bible through 82 times and the New Testament 105 times and was a consistent soul winner. His last convert was a hospital employee on the day of his death. He loved gospel music and wrote several songs. He was a licensed barber since he was 19 years old and cut President Clinton’s hair when Bill was a boy.

He loved eating at catfish restaurants and working his daily crossword puzzle. He had a quick wit and active mind, a delightful, positive personality, and made friends everywhere. He enjoyed his garden and greenhouse and cheered for the Razorbacks.

Relatives and friends may stop by the funeral home to view Rev. Stark on Thursday, November 22, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

A celebration of Rev. Stark’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 23, 2007, in the Chapel of Roller McNutt Funeral Home with Pastor Don Chandler officiating. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park with Military Honors, as Rev. Stark was a Navy Veteran of World War II serving in the Pacific.

The family requests that memorial gifts be given to Central Baptist College, 1501 College Avenue, Conway, Arkansas 72034.