GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

On Sunday, Nov. 17, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stark were married fifty years, but when they arouse Sunday morning they had no idea of the happy surprise in store for them.
Unknown to them, their daughters, Mesdames Walter and Jack Stark, had prepared dinner and invited about fifty or more of their boy and girlhood friends to share it with them. From about ten o'clock until noon they continued to come and when the call to dinner came, fifty-two answered it. It was a jolly crowd, and many stories of experiences of long ago were recounted.
friends continued to call all during the afternoon - coffee and cake was served those calling after noon.  About disk they said "au revoir" to each other and the honorees, hoping to meet again soon.
Guests at dinner were: E. C. Bramblett, C. C. Huffines, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Huffines, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Fender, Mr. and Mrs. T. N. Harris, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Chick, Mrs. Mattie Huffines, Mrs. T. N. Skiles, Denton; Mrs. A. R. White, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Pierce, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Bramblett, Mrs. J. B. Bryant, Mesquite; Robt. Bryant, Mesquite; Mr. and Mrs. B. E. O'Neal, Godley; Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Griffin, Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Breedlove, Mrs. Will Moore, Dallas; Bill Moore, Dallas; W. H. Stark, W. W. Stark. Those who called later were: Mrs. Fred Steere, Dallas; Mrs. John W. Allen, Dallas; Sidney H. Allen, Dallas, John W. Allen, Dallas, J. T. Orr and wife, Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Williams, Dallas; Miss Lena Skiles, Denton; Max Hann, Dallas; Mrs. B. F. Bowser, Miss Connie Bower, Mrs. and Mrs. Walter Stark, Miss Janie Stark, Miss Annie Stark, Marion Stark, Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Stark, Robert. Stark, Roberta Stark, Jane Stark, Mary Louise McGlathery, Dallas; Eugene Bramblett, Sid Daniels, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Moore.

The Richardson Echo - November 22, 1929; pg 1
Submitted by Jan Jones

There was a jolly party of the Stark's at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Stark in Carrollton on Sunday, Dec. 20, when they all gathered to celebrate the birthday of J. F. Stark, father of Walter of this place and Jack Stark of Alpha. Mr. Stark's birthday was on Monday the 21st but as Sunday was the day in which all could be present that day was used  for the event.
Mr. J. F. Stark was born near Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 21st, 1852, and when two years of age came to Texas with his parents, coming to Dallas County, where he has since resided. He has  told us of seeing ox teams pulling their loads on the streets of the  village called Dallas, and he has lived to see that village grow to a city in excess of 350,000 population. He has done his portion to help make this country what it is today and can  look back on a long life of usefulness as he has always been an active figure in the civic movements and prlitical movements which have had  their part in the upbuilding of the community and the city.
Mr. Stark and Miss Jennie Elkins were married in 1880 and the two sons named above were the product of this union. Both are prosperous and influential citizens in their respective communities.
Mr. Stark looks hale and hearthy and gets about with an activity which bespeaks many more years of activity in this his home community. We understand that he was a little surprised when he found all of the family athered on this Sunday to wish him health and happiness for many more years and  that new Stetson which he wears since Sunday is one of the tributes given to him.

Carrollton Chronicle - Friday January 1, 1937
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

J F Stark Passes To The Great Beyond

John Franklin Stark died Monday morning, Jan. 25, 1937, at his home at Alpha at 2:15 o'clock following a very short attack of pneumonia. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, in the Addison Methodist church, Rev. W. H. Day of Waxahachie, officiating. Interment was in Mount Calvary cemetery beside the wife who had preceded him to the Great Beyond. Rhoton's morticians.
Pall bearers were: Edgar Breedlove, Wade Bramblett, B. E. O'Neal, Porter Carson, Joe Y. Field, Jim E Johnston.
J F Stark was born December 21, 1852, at Sweetwater, Tenn., and at the age of two years in 1854 he was brot to Texas by his parents who came here to make their home. They came to Dallas county and Mr. Stark had ever since been a resident of the county.
J F Stark and Miss Jennie Elkins were united in marriage Nov. 17, 1879, and to them were born two sons, Walker and Jack B., and they and eight grandchildren survive and mourn the passing of a really wonderful father and grandfather.
His father and mother came from England and were God fearing devout people and reared their son in that matter and he has ever been a credit to them and to their teachings. He had in his possession and had carefully preserved a Bible which his parents had brot from their Native England and had likewise as carefully preserved during their lives. This Bible is over 300 years old and has been handed down from generation to generation.
As is indicated by his age, 84 years, one month and 4 days, Mr. Stark has seen the development of Dallas county and the major growth of the City of Dallas. He has told us on numerous occasions of going to Dallas in the days when a team of oxen was not an uncommon sight on the streets of the village. He himself had driven ox teams there and just a few years ago in conversation with him he ventured the thought that it was yet within his ability to drive a two-yoke team there were such a feat necessary.
Mr. Stark was a man of clean parts, highly respected and loved by neighbors and friends and he hands down to his sons and his grand-children a heritage which they should greatly prize and highly respect. It is priceless; something not to be  bot with money and of a far greater value than anything which money can buy. We have known Mr. Stark for many years and are proud to be listed as one of his friends and admirers.
Rev. R. F. Thompson, one of the ministers officiating at the funeral of J. F. Stark, made one of the most beautiful addresses has been our privilege to hear in a number of years. He depicted the changes in the material side of life since Mr. Stark's parents came from Tennessee and settled in Dallas county; how Mr. Stark himself had seen the changes from ox teams to steam trains and then to fleeting trucks; from saddle horses to fancy buggies and then to commodious automobiles; and how he had lived his life unsullied thru the many changes taking each in turn as it arrived and keeping on the even tenor of his way, a citizen highly respected and well worthy of that respect.

CARD OF THANKS

We with to express our heart-felt appreciation and thanks to all of the friends who by work and deed assisted in making our burden lighter at the time of death and burial of our father and grandfather, J. F. Stark. We thank you most sincerely for beautiful tributes paid him and for the beautiful floral offerings. May God's blessings be upon each and every one of your in our prayer,
Walter Stark and Family
J. V. Stark and Family.

Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams