Ricky Glynn Stark

Ricky Glynn Stark passed away on March 4, 2023 after a courageous battle with ALS. Rick was born on December 19, 1952 to Jewel Dean Stark and Russell Jackson Stark. Jewel and Russell raised Ricky on Merritt Island, Florida before moving to Northern Alabama where he graduated from Vernon High School in 1970. Rick went on to serve in the United States Air Force during Vietnam from 1972 through 1975. He later graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1978 and worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Department of Defense at Fort Polk, Louisiana and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and later with the State of New Mexico’s Department of Transportation.

Rick married the love of his life, Bobbi Jo Ruckman of Beaver, Pennsylvania, in 1977 at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The two would go on to have their only child, Jonathan Troy Stark, in 1981, followed by two grandchildren, Ethan Stark in 2009, and Riley Stark in 2013. One of Rick’s favorite past times was playing with his grandchildren and he took great pride in aggravating them and keeping them on their toes with his joking nature. Rick and Bobbi moved to New Mexico in 2013 to be closer to their grandchildren and live in the desert Southwest which held a special place in Rick’s heart for its vast landscapes and natural beauty. Rick loved the outdoors and loved hunting and fishing with his family and enjoyed riding out on the desert and mountain trails to explore and look for wildlife.

Rick also enjoyed tossing around the baseball with his son and grandchildren. He coached baseball in his son’s youth leagues and was affectionately known as “Coach” for years afterwards by many in the Sugartown and Dry Creek area of Louisiana. Being an avid Astros and Yankees fan, he took solace in knowing that the same thing that took out the great Lou Gehrig would be the only thing strong enough to take him away from his cherished loved ones and many friends.

Rick was preceded in death by his father Russell Jackson Stark in 2009 and is survived by his mother Jewel Dean Stark of Sulligent, Alabama, his wife Bobbi Jo Stark, son Jonathan Troy (J.T.) Stark, daughter-in-law Jacqueline Landry Stark, grandchildren Ethan Jackson Stark and Riley Ann Stark all of White Rock, New Mexico, sister and brother-in-law Cheryl and Dan Weeks of Gadsden, Alabama, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Celebrations of Rick’s life will take place at multiple times and places over the next few years, with his family and friends scattering a small amount of his ashes at special locations important to him and his loved ones.