Ronald “Ronnie” Ray Stark, 84 of Cabool, MO passed away on April 30, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO. He was born May 18, 1940 in a small apartment behind a gas station that no longer exists just outside of Cabool. Ronnie was 1 of 3 children of Herschel and Jewell (Byrd) Stark: Ronnie, little brother Michael “Mickey” and baby sister Patricia “Patty”. Ronnie was baptized at an early age and belonged to the Cabool Methodist Church with his family.
In high school Ronnie was a musician playing the trumpet and piano and earning several honors as a result. He was also a star athlete and part of Cabool Bulldog football teams that were SCA champs. He graduated in 1958 with several friendships that lasted his lifetime.
On February 24, 1962 Ronnie married the love of his life Dorothy “Dot” Oxley and to this union they welcomed their first born, daughter, Terri Lynn in 1965 and 8 years later their son, Darin. The family were avid campers and you could often find them at the lake fishing or skiing. The family also spent many years traveling with Darin as he raced motocross.
Ronnie loved building hotrods his whole life. He rebuilt several cars which resulted in numerous awards and belonged to some local car clubs too. He was also an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of which he was the President for several years.
After living in a mobile home and owning the local trailer park, having a whole trailer fall on him, breaking his back and paralyzing him, learning to walk again Dot and Ronnie took on designing and building their dream home in the country. You read that right. Doctors never expected him to walk again but Ronnie was so much tougher than those doctors anticipated.
Ronnie worked at Brown Shoe Factory in Cabool until it closed. Later jobs included running the local license bureau, delivering The Springfield Newsleader and then jobs at the post office cleaning and running routes. We all thought he would never retire!
Ronnie was known for his sense of humor. He took his politics very seriously and kept informed about elections and remained quite knowledgeable on current (and historical) events.
Sadly, Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel & Jewell Stark; his only daughter, Terri; his beloved wife, Dot, brother, best friend and partner in crime Mickey, best friend Gary Spurgeon and so many other Stark relatives who were all so special to him. He is survived by his son Darin and his wife, Stacy of Cabool, his grandchildren Michael Smith and partner Kass Brazeal of Willard and Alyssa and husband, Brett Boyd of Mtn. Grove, and his great grandchildren, Kaylee & Jett; and his sister Patty (Parker) and husband John Burns of Strafford in addition to countless extended family members including cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws just to name a few.
After Ronnie’s passing we found some notes he jotted for his funeral; songs he wanted to play and a quote. Ronnie wanted this to be “last because I want everyone to leave happy and not sad. Love Ya All.”
“Being a Christian ain’t easy but the retirement plan is amazing.“
