Norman J. Stark

Norman J. Stark of Hot Springs, Ark. died on July 25, 2013. He was 79 years old. Norman was born January 10, 1934 in Heber Springs, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Miles and Madeline (Voelkner) Stark. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betty (Rigg) Stark; a daughter, Kathy (Steve) Hopper all of Hot Springs, Arkansas; a son, David (Betsy) Stark of Knoxville, Tennessee; a sister, Virginia (John Grady) Hipp, of Country Club Hills, Illinois; granddaughters Hayley Pugh (Drew), Rebekah Ball (Nathan) and Melissa Miller, Rachel Coney (Brent), Madeline, Phoebe, Julia, Charlotte, and Emma Stark; great-grandchildren, Noah Ball and Adalyn Coney; and favorite cousin, Phoebe Pinkerton, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Norman attended Little Rock University (now UALR). He was a 37-year member of the Arkansas Air National Guard, and served for his last 27 years as the Detachment Commander of the 223 Combat Communications Squadron at Memorial Field, before retiring in 1989 as a Lt Colonel. He received numerous awards and decorations during his military career, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal and the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal. He was a Past Master of Sumpter Masonic Lodge #419 in Hot Springs, and served as District Deputy Grand Master of the district that covers the Masonic Lodges in Garland and Saline counties. At his death, he was a member of Hot Springs Masonic Lodge #62 in Hot Springs. Norman was a charter member of Hot Springs Baptist Church, and a member of Richard Sorrell's Sunday School Class. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. Service will be at 10: a.m. Monday at Hot Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Gerald Taylor and Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers include Kerg Hipp, Tom Hipp, Nathan Ball, Drew Pugh, Bo Griffin, and Terry Womack. Honorary Pallbearers include Bob Brown, Hughie Lambert, Carl Jensen, Carter McCaslin, Vernon McCroskey; members of the Ed Johnson and Richard Sorrells Sunday School Classes at Hot Springs Baptist Church; past members of the 223rd Combat Communication Squadron; and present members of the Hot Springs Masonic Lodge #62. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hot Springs Baptist Church Building Fund. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.