Russell Henry Stark

Russell was born on December 9, 1936, to Howard and Eloise Stark in Des Moines, Iowa. After graduating from high school, he went to Iowa State University where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Following graduation from ISU, Russell was drafted into the US Army and “fondly” remembers his “2 years, 3 months and 5 days” in the military. After receiving an honorable discharge, Russell embarked on his first job for Northwestern Bell, the beginning of a fulfilling telecommunications profession.

While working for Northwestern Bell in Ottumwa, Iowa, Russell met Linda Smith, who worked in the Business Office, and they wed in 1966. His career with Northwestern Bell, and later AT&T and Lucent Technologies, took the family from rural towns in Iowa, to Omaha Nebraska, several locations in Minnesota, and then to the AT&T world headquarters in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

Russell retired from AT&T in 2000 after a 40-year career. He and Linda later moved to Fairwood, Washington to be close to their son Jay, daughter Alida, and her three children, who live in the Seattle area. Russell liked to say that he didn’t retire “from” a 40-year career from AT&T, but rather, that he retired “to” a new career in bookkeeping. He took up part-time accounting work for a local church and enjoyed vacationing on cruise ships with Linda all over the world.

Russell was a loving husband and father and lived out his strong Christian faith. He was known as a caring, generous, and loving person to anyone that was fortunate enough to work with, befriend, or break bread with him and his family.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Jeane Carey. He is survived by his wife, Linda, two sons, Sean & Jay and two daughters, Tamera & Alida, his three grandchildren, Ainsley, Maddoc, and Fiona, and his nephews Steve, Rick, and Jeff Carey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Russ’ honor to one of his most beloved Christian ministries, HOPE Bible Mission.

http://hopebiblemission.org/russell-stark