Eugene E. Stark, Jr.

Eugene Emil Stark, Jr., age 88, passed away, surrounded by members of his family, on Monday, January 4th, 2021.  He was born on August 7th, 1932 in Newark, New Jersey to Eugene and Teresia Stark (nee Kasler).

Known as Gene to his family and friends, he attended Irvington High School in Irvington, New Jersey, and enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.  While stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, Gene met his future wife of 64 years, Barbara Karniski, at a USO dance (Gene went to the USO to get free Cardinal baseball tickets).  They were married on May 19, 1956 and soon after moved into their first home in Florissant, Missouri.  Together, Gene and Barbara had three children: Gene Joseph, Mary Therese and Steven Anthony.  He always felt that his family was the most important thing in his life.

Gene spent most of his professional career in the shoe industry, and he retired from Wohl Shoe Company in Clayton, Missouri on November 30, 1994.  Throughout most of his career in the shoe industry, Gene worked with computers and data processing during the groundbreaking years; he saw the evolution of the computer, from IBM's huge machines that required punch cards, to the more compact models that people use today.

In 1983, Gene and Barb moved to Saint Peters, Missouri where they became active in their local parish, Saints Joachim & Ann.  Gene enjoyed volunteering in the Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Services group, and he also became the Financial Secretary in the Harvester Knights of Columbus.  He was immensely proud of his military service and also spent many happy hours with other members of the Korean War Veterans local chapter in St. Peters.

Gene was a devoted father and husband.  He always enjoyed traveling, whether it be a road trip with his young family to Florida, Maine, Wyoming, or back to his home town in New Jersey, as well as vacationing to Australia, Europe, and Hawaii.  He loved and appreciated all of it.   "Every day is a gift" was his most often heard saying.

Gene had many hobbies, but most of us knew how much he loved the art of fishing in a trout stream.  He was a city kid from New Jersey, whose first experience with fishing was on the Jersey shore.  But, he taught himself how to use a rod and reel in an icy cold Missouri stream, and a new love for trout fishing was born.  He taught all three of his children, as well as most of his grandkids, how to fish for trout as well!  The trout at Bennett Spring can finally rest a little easier now.

Gene often talked baseball with his family.  He would explain that he was a Yankee fan first and foremost because, “I can't just erase all those memories when my brother and I would go to a game in the old Yankee stadium.”  But he loved his St. Louis Cardinals as a close second.  Whether he was watching the Cards in person or on television, he always kept up with the game and loved to talk strategies.  He knew baseball to be the beautiful, artful sport that it is and passed on that love to his children and grandchildren.

Gene was a connoisseur of ice cream, as he would say, “Anything with fruit tastes the best!”  However, he was also known for his home-made breakfasts, particularly the biscuits and gravy and his "cowboy" eggs (western omelet).

This big, strong, kind man was also a man of God and knew the value in every minute spent on this Earth.  He cut an article out of a newspaper many, many years ago, laminated it and made sure that all three of his kids carried these words with them in their wallets every day.  We think it speaks volumes for the man he was:

"Suddenly you realize that what you are, and have right now - family, home, career, health - is what you are working for and living for...  You are not living for the distant day of retirement, or for the day you get the Big Job, or seeing the kids through college...  Now, while you have each other and the full capacity for enjoyment, is the time of fulfillment...  If you do not enjoy each day now, when and where will you?  You are somewhat awed by the simplicity of this notion of now - You breathe more deeply and lengthen the stride that is taking you home."

Gene was a much-loved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.  Gene is survived by his wife, Barbara Stark (nee Karniski); his children, Gene (Nancie) Stark, Mary (Rob) Reynolds, Steve (Mary) Stark; and his sister Marilyn (Abbott) Wells.  He is predeceased by his brother, Steve C. (Isabel Villone) Stark.  He was extremely proud of all seven of his beautiful grandchildren as well as his ten great-grandchildren.  Gene will be deeply missed by all of his family, friends and neighbors.

Services:  Due to the pandemic, a private Catholic Mass will be held for immediate family only.  A Celebration of Life event will be held at a later date once the threat of Covid-19 has passed.  Condolences may be offered to the family via Baue Funeral & Memorial Center 3950 W. Clay Street, St. Charles, MO  63301.  Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Eugene E. Stark, Jr. to Saints Joachim & Ann Care Services - 4116 McClay Road  St. Peters, MO  63304.