David Henry Stark

David Henry Stark was born on July 27, 1944 in Inglewood, California. He grew up in the City of Hawthorne, CA where he attended public elementary and secondary schools. An inquisitive and dedicated young man, it was during this time that David decided to pursue a career in the fire service. In fact, after receiving his diploma from Hawthorne High School in June 1962, David tested for the position of Auxiliary Fireman with the Hawthorne Fire Department. Seeing a potential exemplary civil servant, David was hired by the Hawthorne Fire Department as an Auxiliary Fireman in June 1963. David served in this capacity until June 1965 when he, like many young men of that era, were called upon to serve their country. David selected the United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.) for his branch of military service, completed basic training and civil engineering technical school, and was sent to Vietnam; David was “in country” from 1967-1968 and was on the ground during the Tet Offensive. Noting David’s desire to return to his career in the fire service upon his discharge from the regular U.S.A.F., David was hired as a full-time Fireman by the Hawthorne Fire Department (HFD) in November 1968. David simultaneously served the U.S.A.F. during the day and the HFD at night. David began full-time employment with the HFD on July 17, 1969 after being honorably discharged from active duty in the U.S.A.F with an exemplary service record. David's stellar career with the Hawthorne Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) had just begun.

Besides “living the dream” as a firefighter, David received the blessing of a family. On June 16, 1972, David married the love of his life, Cecilia. Over the next six years, David and Cecilia welcomed three children: David, Daniel, and Jennifer. Together, David and Cecilia built a loving home, always open to family and friends.

The next 28 years proved incredibly fruitful for David, a man of faith and service. From 1969 to 1997, David would serve in a number of positions with the Hawthorne Fire Department. These positions included: Fireman/Firefighter (FF), Fire Engineer (Engr.) and Acting Captain (Capt.). Many of David's colleagues from the Hawthorne Fire Department can attest to the fact that he epitomized the model civil servant. David always stayed one step ahead of his Captains. As a Fireman/Firefighter, David loved running a charged line into the "devil's domain" before his Captain(s) could yell, "Stark. Inch and a half!" In his capacity as an Acting Captain, David gained greater respect not only from the men he was charged with supervising but also from the Battalion Chiefs appointed to direct the daily operations of the department. There is an old saying in the fire service that goes, "Never, ever question the Engineer's judgment." It was in his position as an Engineer that David excelled beyond measure. While an Engineer, David mastered the logistics of multiple types of fire apparatus. Like Fire Engineers of a bygone era, David either handled directly or assisted in the repairs of his apparatus. Fire Department Captains, Battalion Chiefs, and the Fire Chief could always count on David's sound judgment. Both on and off-duty, David always sought to augment his professional knowledge. He attended El Camino College and Los Angeles Harbor College as well as regular in-service training.

Besides augmenting his professional knowledge, David became a strong public relations tool for the Hawthorne Fire Department. As one of several city residents, David proved that Hawthorne firefighters had a vested interest in the city they served. Many young adults today remember growing up watching David with his red hair and big red moustache drive fire engines and trucks around the city, and give speeches and demonstrations of his job as a Firefighter at their schools. The fire department had no problem finding the right person to dress up as Santa Claus for their annual "Santa's Firehouse" event. As a volunteer in the Boy Scouts and a Team Father in both Little League Baseball/Softball and Soccer, David proved that he was a "community-oriented" civil servant years before the concept would become embraced. David certainly inspired a number of individuals to enter and augment careers in public service. In fact, David was awarded the William T. Deal Outstanding Firefighter Award in May 1990. David would carry on this tradition of excellence when the Hawthorne Fire Department was annexed into the LACoFD in January 1997.

David retained his position of Engineer in the LACoFD but was now referred to as a Firefighter Specialist (FFS). After ten months of duty in Hawthorne at LACoFD Stations 160 and 161, David received orders for duty at LACoFD Station 110 in Marina Del Rey, CA. David's work ethic had already spread like wildfire across the LACoFD. While at Station 110, David enjoyed the prestige of serving as the FFS for Fireboat 110. Despite the wonderful friendships he created and the talented individuals he had come to work with as part of the LACoFD, David longed to come home. At his request, David received orders to return to the City of Hawthorne at Station 160 in September 2000. David had come full-circle, as his very first shift as a volunteer fireman in June 1963 was at the old HFD Station 3, now LACoFD Station 160.

After nearly 39 years of service to the citizens of Los Angeles County, David retired from active duty in March 2001. In active retirement, David could still be found working on ways to improve the quality of life for all who sought his assistance.

In 2008, David welcomed his first grandchild, his dear granddaughter Hailey Jean, who immediately became the center of his world. In 2011, David received the incredible blessing of a grandson, Austin Joshua, who delighted his grandfather’s spirit with his Christian heart. Together, Hailey and Austin doted on their beloved “Da.”

David had the blessing of a long retirement, albeit one that also included health challenges. However, David never let poor health overwhelm his spirit.

An altruistic father and grandfather, friend, godfather, husband, mentor, civil servant, son, and uncle of the highest character until his passing in the early morning of April 21, 2026, David will always be remembered as a loving servant leader. We honor David best by choosing a similar life.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Cecilia; three children: David, Daniel, and Jennifer; two grandchildren: Hailey and Austin; son-in-law, Joshua; sister, Evelyn; many nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Jennifer Stark-Falkner

On Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 10:24 PM Jennifer Falkner <[email protected]> wrote:

David Henry Stark was born on July 27, 1944 in Inglewood, California. He grew up in the City of Hawthorne, CA where he attended public elementary and secondary schools. An inquisitive and dedicated young man, it was during this time that David decided to pursue a career in the fire service. In fact, after receiving his diploma from Hawthorne High School in June 1962, David tested for the position of Auxiliary Fireman with the Hawthorne Fire Department. Seeing a potential exemplary civil servant, David was hired by the Hawthorne Fire Department as an Auxiliary Fireman in June 1963. David served in this capacity until June 1965 when he, like many young men of that era, were called upon to serve their country. David selected the United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.) for his branch of military service, completed basic training and civil engineering technical school, and was sent to Vietnam; David was “in country” from 1967-1968 and was on the ground during the Tet Offensive. Noting David’s desire to return to his career in the fire service upon his discharge from the regular U.S.A.F., David was hired as a full-time Fireman by the Hawthorne Fire Department (HFD) in November 1968. David simultaneously served the U.S.A.F. during the day and the HFD at night. David began full-time employment with the HFD on July 17, 1969 after being honorably discharged from active duty in the U.S.A.F with an exemplary service record. David's stellar career with the Hawthorne Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) had just begun.

Over the next twenty-eight years, David would serve in a number of positions with the Hawthorne Fire Department. These positions included: Fireman/Firefighter (FF), Fire Engineer (Engr.) and Acting Captain (Capt.). Many of David's colleagues from the Hawthorne Fire Department can attest to the fact that he epitomized the model civil servant. David always stayed one step ahead of his Captains. As a Fireman/Firefighter, David loved running a charged line into the "devil's domain" before his Captain(s) could yell, "Stark. Inch and a half!" In his capacity as an Acting Captain, David gained greater respect not only from the men he was charged with supervising but also from the Battalion Chiefs appointed to direct the daily operations of the department. There is an old saying in the fire service that goes, "Never, ever question the Engineer's judgment." It was in his position as an Engineer that David excelled beyond measure. While an Engineer, David mastered the logistics of multiple types of fire apparatus. Like Fire Engineers of a bygone era, David either handled directly or assisted in the repairs of his apparatus. Fire Department Captains, Battalion Chiefs, and the Fire Chief could always count on David's sound judgment. Both on and off-duty, David always sought to augment his professional knowledge. He attended El Camino College and Los Angeles Harbor College as well as regular in-service training.

Besides augmenting his professional knowledge, David became a strong public relations tool for the Hawthorne Fire Department. As one of several city residents, David proved that Hawthorne firefighters had a vested interest in the city they served. Many young adults today remember growing up watching David with his red hair and big red moustache drive fire engines and trucks around the city, and give speeches and demonstrations of his job as a Firefighter at their schools. The fire department had no problem finding the right person to dress up as Santa Claus for their annual "Santa's Firehouse" event. As a volunteer in the Boy Scouts and a Team Father in both Little League Baseball/Softball and Soccer, David proved that he was a "community-oriented" civil servant years before the concept would become embraced. David certainly inspired a number of individuals to enter and augment careers in public service. In fact, David was awarded the William T. Deal Outstanding Firefighter Award in May 1990. David would carry on this tradition of excellence when the Hawthorne Fire Department was annexed into the LACoFD in January 1997.

David retained his position of Engineer in the LACoFD but was now referred to as a Firefighter Specialist (FFS). After ten months of duty in Hawthorne at LACoFD Stations 160 and 161, David received orders for duty at LACoFD Station 110 in Marina Del Rey, CA. David's work ethic had already spread like wildfire across the LACoFD. While at Station 110, David enjoyed the prestige of serving as the FFS for Fireboat 110. Despite the wonderful friendships he created and the talented individuals he had come to work with as part of the LACoFD, David longed to come home. At his request, David received orders to return to the City of Hawthorne at Station 160 in September 2000. David had come full-circle, as his very first shift as a volunteer fireman in June 1963 was at the old HFD Station 3, now LACoFD Station 160.

After nearly 39 years of service to the citizens of Los Angeles County, David retired from active duty in March 2001. In active retirement, David could still be found working on ways to improve the quality of life for all that sought his assistance. David had the blessing of a long retirement, albeit one that also included health challenges. However, David never let poor health overwhelm his spirit.

An altruistic husband, father grandfather, friend, mentor, civil servant, son, and uncle of the highest character from 1972 until his passing in the early morning of April 21, 2026, David will always be remembered as a loving servant leader. We honor David best by choosing a similar life.