Jerry Paul Stark 
  May 19, 2010

Jerry Paul Stark died peacefully at the age of 55 on May 19, 2010 after 
a valiant battle with stomach cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 
26 years Donna Stark; beloved daughter and son Jessie Porter and Zachary Stark; 
mother Jo DeFoe Stark; brother and sister-in-law James and Karen Stark; 
sister and brother-in-law Nancye and Rick Calkins; mother-in-law Norma Knowlton; 
sister-in-law and her husband Diane and Mike Nobrega; brother-in-law and his 
wife Dale Knowlton and Donna Cassini; niece and nephews David Nobrega, Jonathan Nobrega, 
Hannah Nobrega, Corey Knowlton and Colin Swift; and numerous friends and colleagues. 

Preceded in death by his father John Stark and father-in-law Raymond Knowlton. 

Jerry was a gentle giant of a man with a beautiful smile, hearty laugh and infectiously joyous spirit. 
His great loves in life were family, croquet and barbecue. Jerry was the Director of Croquet 
at Meadowood Napa Valley since 1992, introducing guests and club members to what he called 
the "grown-up" version of the backyard game. He also traveled the world to compete against 
some of the best players from England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 

Jerry was a member of 16 USA croquet teams, competed in nine WCF World Championships and 
10 World Championships at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards. He won five national titles and was a proud 
member of the USA Team that beat Great Britain for the first time in history during the 
Solomon Trophy Test Match in December 2009. Jerry was an inductee into the American Croquet 
Hall of Fame and at his death was the 5th ranked player in the United States and the 42nd in 
the world. In honor of his memory, the United States Croquet Association has named a trophy, 
to be awarded to the USCA AC National Singles champion in perpetuity - the "Stark Cup." Jerry'
s other interests included golf, darts and Texas Hold'em poker. 

There will be a celebration of Jerry's life, Saturday, June 19 at 11:00 a.m. 
at Meadowood Napa Valley, 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, CA. 
Those attending should feel free to wear white - the traditional croquet attire.

Published Online in the Press Democrat from June 6 to June 9, 2010