John Michael Stark passed away Sunday, January 17, 2016 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Stockton, from complications of emphysema. His family was at his bedside.John was born
on October 18, 1943 in San Francisco. He spent his elementary school years in the City and moved to Cupertino for his high school years.
While at Cupertino High School he met Sophia (Sue) Paizis. They were married
soon after high school in 1965.
John was in the K9 Unit of the Air Police in the US Air Force. His last year of service was spent in Vietnam.
On his return to civilian life he and Sue began their family and he enrolled at San Jose State University, graduating with a teaching credential.
Before he could get a teaching job, John was offered a position at the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department ass a Correctional Officer.
In the year he was at Humboldt County he put himself through the Police Academy during the day and worked at the jail at night for several months.
In 1977, upon graduation from the academy, he took a job at the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department as a Patrol Deputy. He soon had a K9 partner named Fred.
"Stark and Bark" were well known in the county.
In 1983 John left the Sheriff's Department to work for the California Department of Fish and Game as a warden.
He retired from Fish and Game in 2003. From 1991 until his wife retired in 2010, John would work extra hire for the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department during his days off.
John loved the outdoors and spent much of his time traveling to different parts of the world.
He was an active member of the Calaveras Caravaners and enjoyed traveling with Sue and his dog in their outings.
He was a member of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association and attended most of the yearly reunions at March Air Field in Riverside.
John liked to work with his hands on metal and wood and enjoyed photography. He took many honors for his pictures.
John is survived by his wife of 50 years. Sue and his two sons Michael Stark of San Andreas and Gregory and Jane Stark of Valley Springs, his grandchildren Callie and Evan Stark and his sisters Linda Stark and Scarlett Johnson, both of Napa.
There will be a public viewing Monday, January 25, 2016 from 5 PM to 7 PM at the San Andreas Memorial Chapel at 254 St. Charles St. in San Andreas.
The funeral will be Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11 AM at St. Basil Orthodox church at 920 W. March Lane in Stockton.
Internment will be at Sunset View Cemetery at 10200 Hwy 88 in Jackson.
Memorial contributions would be appreciated by the American Lung Association.
San Andreas Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.
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