Jay Stark Jr.

His life began on February 21, 1931 in Boscobel, WI. A small town in South West Wisconsin, who’s only claim to fame was the men who founded the Gideon Ministry first met as they shared a room in the Boscobel Hotel.

In 1939, Jay’s father moved the family to Tampa, FL and after 6 months, on their way back to Wisconsin they stopped in Martinsville, IN where Jay’s grandfather Ellsworth Trumbull lived. Martinsville was located in central Indiana and their only claim to fame was it was the hometown of John Dillinger, the infamous outlaw. After a short stay there, Jay’s parents decided they preferred a neighboring town, (Franklin, IN) and bought a home in Franklin. So from 1939, to the summer of 1945 Franklin was their home and Jay Jr. loved it. He could get on his bicycle and head for the woods or several favorite spots which where Webb’s pond, the 10’ hole and Brown’s Woods. Here he was a Boy Scout and they camped out even when there was snow on the ground. Jay Jr. loved the outdoors, the woods, streams and creeks. It was here in Franklin at age ten that a faith in God was first stirred within him when his family joined and was baptized in the Tabernacle Christian Church. Then in the summer of 1945, his parents decided to move the family again to south Tampa, FL.

Here he received the balance of his formal education. Jay Jr. was a free thinker (never would have gotten along in college) even as a small boy he would argue with his Dad, his Uncle and anyone else when he believed he was right. Then in the spring of 1949, at Hillsborough High School he met the most beautiful 16 year old Irish girl by the name of Patricia Walsh. It took hi the rest of the summer to secure a date, but on September 15, 1949, that first date happened and fro that time on it was nothing but Patricia, Patricia, Patricia and they were married on January 20, 1951. Jay was 19 and Patricia had just turned 18, two teenagers in love buy young, with very limited book learning BUT WITH SOME GOD given common sense, no money of their own, nor monies in either family. It appeared to be a marriage made for divorce but wait, read on.

Their daughter Pamela was born ten months later, and the two young lovers began to think more seriously about their lives in the future of their daughter. Jay thought back to that decision he made in Indiana to accept God‘s plan for his life. Together they decided they would join a church, be baptized together, commit to serve God when asked and began tithing, so that God‘s word might reach others. Another decision was that tobacco, alcohol, or any other drug would not be part of their lives, or an example before their children. They agreed that to each other, the other was the most important person in the world, so why would either want to verbally or physically fight with the other. Long story short God blessed Jay and that special girl with four wonderful children, Pamela, Suzanne, J Scott III, William Grant, and Russell Todd, in a lifetime of happiness.

Jay’s life work was in the canvas industry. Beginning first in June 1950 until June 1970, working for in later as a partner, and one of the most respected companies in Tampa’s history,( Creighton Bros. Awning Company) and then in June 1970 he and his Patricia founded American Canvas products Corp. specializing in tarpaulins, filters and other industrial canvas products. Their involvement was honoring God and on January 20, 2023, they celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.

Some of Jay’s other interest included real estate. Jay had become a real estate broker at the age of 22, which sparked a lifelong interest in real estate investments. He saw problems in local politics in the 1960s and got involved because he thought that was the way to change things. He and Patricia had a love of the mountains and enjoyed many trips to Western North Carolina. Again, Jay was 19 and Patricia had just turned 18, two teenagers in love, but young. It had all the year marks of a marriage made for divorce, but we read on. The difference……was God. Amen and Amen.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that you would make a donation in Jay's honor to Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church:

https://lmumc.org/donate-2/