John Paul Stark

John graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1956 and received his BS in Engineering Physics from the University of Oklahoma in 1960. He later earned his Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from the University of Oklahoma. John was a professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas from 1963 until 1997 during which time he was instrumental in establishing an interdepartmental program in Materials Science and Engineering. During his career, John published the “Diffusion of Solids” as well as authored 98 scholarly papers in journals such as Physical Review, Journal of Applied Physics and Acta Metalllurgica. John is listed in the Who’s Who in the South and Who’s Who in the Southwest.

John is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Glenna Owens Stark, her 5 children and 9 grandchildren and his daughter, Susan Stark Young, and her husband, David. He was predeceased by his former wife, Jennine Kay Campbell.

John was an avid reader and enjoyed his Wednesday lunch group. Other interests included photography, painting, writing, woodworking and alabaster carving.

A memorial service will be held at Hope Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital Cancer Center or Operation Smiles.