John M. Dark

A Celebration of Life Service for John M. Dark, 94, of Bossier City will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Hill Crest Funeral Home. Military and masonic honors will follow in Hill Crest Memorial Park. Officiating the services will be Reverend Tom Brown, and Dr. Randy Harper, Pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church. Musical selections will be directed by Drew Ley of Bellaire Baptist. The family will receive friends on Tuesday August 15, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

John was born August 22, 1922, in Dodson, La to Troupe and Kara Dark. John passed away August 11 after a brief illness. John was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and was involved in the island hopping of the Pacific Theater during WWII. In the Air Force he served as a Crewchief of B-29’s, Section and Flightline Chief, warplans room during the Cuban Crisis; headed initial Maintenance Section of the SR-71 Blackbird program and MAG Advisor. He retired with distinguished honors after 28.5 years at the rank of SMSgt. He became a member of the USV-Joint Service Command and was promoted by General F.R. Harper to the rank of Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 61st Brigade.

Mr. Dark was a member of Bellaire Baptist Church. He spent most of his time with his family and his Masonic brothers. He was affiliated with Joppa Masonic Lodge #362, Shreveport Scottish Rite Bodies as an Honorary 33 Degree Mason. John was also a member of The York Rite Bodies, Commandary #6, Knight Templar, and the El Karubah Temple where he was Past Commander of the Legion of Honor. He was friend and brother to many and will be missed by all that knew and loved him. His past time of eating became dreams and schemes from the cooking shows.

John is survived by his son, John T. and wife Betty Dark and granddog, Dapples D’Lee of Bossier City. Brother, W.V. “Bill” and wife Vi Dark of Shreveport; nieces, Tamee and Marsha Dark; nephew, Douglas Durham; and special nieces, Karen Myrick and Linda Vogal. He is also survived by several other family members, special friends and his many Masonic brothers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Troupe and Kara Dark; wife, Vada Lee Dark; and sisters, Geri Garberg and Melba Durham.

The USV Joint Service Command, 6th Regional and 61st Brigade will perform full military honors, followed by Masonic Rites. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jessie Thompson, Bill Mackey, Bill Thacker, Ed Durham, Ballard Smith, and Gary Gribble.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71103.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Sally Ball of WK Pierremont for her medical care and genuine friendship shown to John during the past years.

* * * * * * * * * *

A Celebration of Life Service for John M. Dark, 94, of Bossier City will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Hill Crest Funeral Home. Military and masonic honors will follow in Hill Crest Memorial Park. Officiating the services will be Reverend Tom Brown, and Dr. Randy Harper, Pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church. Musical selections will be directed by Drew Ley of Bellaire Baptist. The family will receive friends on Tuesday August 15, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

John was born August 22, 1922, in Dodson, La to Troupe and Kara Dark. John passed away August 11 after a brief illness. John was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and was involved in the island hopping of the Pacific Theater during WWII. In the Air Force he served as a Crewchief of B-29’s, Section and Flightline Chief, warplans room during the Cuban Crisis; headed initial Maintenance Section of the SR-71 Blackbird program and MAG Advisor. He retired with distinguished honors after 28.5 years at the rank of SMSgt. He became a member of the USV-Joint Service Command and was promoted by General F.R. Harper to the rank of Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 61st Brigade.

Mr. Dark was a member of Bellaire Baptist Church. He spent most of his time with his family and his Masonic brothers. He was affiliated with Joppa Masonic Lodge #362, Shreveport Scottish Rite Bodies as an Honorary 33 Degree Mason. John was also a member of The York Rite Bodies, Commandary #6, Knight Templar, and the El Karubah Temple where he was Past Commander of the Legion of Honor. He was friend and brother to many and will be missed by all that knew and loved him. His past time of eating became dreams and schemes from the cooking shows.

John is survived by his son, John T. and wife Betty Dark and granddog, Dapples D’Lee of Bossier City. Brother, W.V. “Bill” and wife Vi Dark of Shreveport; nieces, Tamee and Marsha Dark; nephew, Douglas Durham; and special nieces, Karen Myrick and Linda Vogal. He is also survived by several other family members, special friends and his many Masonic brothers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Troupe and Kara Dark; wife, Vada Lee Dark; and sisters, Geri Garberg and Melba Durham.

The USV Joint Service Command, 6th Regional and 61st Brigade will perform full military honors, followed by Masonic Rites. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jessie Thompson, Bill Mackey, Bill Thacker, Ed Durham, Ballard Smith, and Gary Gribble.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s memory to the Shrine Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71103.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Sally Ball of WK Pierremont for her medical care and genuine friendship shown to John during the past years.

You may offer condolences and sign the online guest book by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.