John Andrew "Andy" Stark, 63 years old, of Springfield, Missouri passed away on April 11, 2022 surrounded by the love of family.

Andy was born November 22, 1958 to John and Patsy (Thurman) Stark in Springfield, where his youth was partnered with being baptized at Strafford United Methodist Church.  Andy began his education in Strafford, Missouri before making tours through Windsor and Cabool, Missouri – before graduating from Kickapoo High School in 1976.  Andy went on to study airframe and power plant maintenance/repair at Texas Aero Tech in Dallas, Texas.

After college studies, Andy began his career by owning his own business, All Type Cleaning and Restoration, which serviced the Springfield area and the community he knew best.

In his younger years, Andy relished in the outdoors by enjoying hunting, fishing and camping.  As he aged, his love for music blossomed and he formed special bonds with local musicians.  Andy was a sports fan, with football his sport of choice, as he rooted for the Dallas Cowboys to the St. Louis Rams, before joining the Red Kingdom of the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 1994, Andy wed to his best friend and loving wife Tamara (Thomas) Stark.

Andy was a loyal friend, as he loved to be the life of the party – wherever the party was.  Andy would have given the shirt off his back to help another, verifying himself as a generous man that made several wonderful friends along his life journeys.  If you met him once, I'm sure you would have an Andy story to share.  Even in death, Andy was still giving.  Andy was an organ donor and offered the ultimate gift of love, life and sharing to others.

Andy was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Roy Lee and Callie Stark; maternal grandparents, Charles and Edna Thurman; his parents John and Patsy (Thurman) Stark; sister Janet Sue (Stark) Maggard; in-laws Loren and Sue Thomas; and nephew Justin Cox.

Andy is survived by his wife, Tamara (Thomas) Stark; maternal aunt Doris Graham; sister Jane (Stark) Baker and husband, Bill; sister Becky (Stark) Mitchem and husband Jeff; brother-in-law Gary Maggard; and sister-in-law Pam Vercelli and husband, Rick.

Andy is also survived by nieces and nephews, Greg (Kary) Maggard, Matt (Stephanie) Maggard, Anne (Travis) Longwell, Brett (J'Ne) Baker, Scott Baker, Monica (Jeremy) Bowman, Bart (Kaity) Baker, Tyler (Julie) Mitchem, Erin Mitchem – and 18 great nieces and nephews.

Lastly, Andy was survived by fur babies Toby and Ruby, until the path across the Rainbow Bridge grants them a reunited love.

Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 15, 2022 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any appreciation and offer of support to be paid forward to "4 The Love of K9's," a non-profit animal rescue in Springfield. This is where Andy would prefer the generous, good deeds be granted.

253 Trout Rd
Ozark, MO 65721
https://4theloveofk9s.com/donate