Gregory Daniel Stark

Gregory Daniel Stark was joyfully welcomed into the world by his parents, Michael and Barbara Stark on Dec. 14, 1978 in St. Ignatius, Mont. Shortly after his birth, Greg's family moved to Royal City, where Greg enjoyed a happy childhood and attended all 12 grades in the Royal School District. Greg excelled academically as well as athletically and enjoyed great success in track and cross-country.

Greg attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg, graduating with a degree in business. After graduating from Central, Greg was employed at the Experience Music Project in Seattle where his love of music of all types was nurtured. For the past two years, Greg has been an employee of the University of Washington in Seattle where he was a web-computing specialist for the Northwest Center for Public Health.

Greg possessed a great spirit of adventure and an even greater circle of friends. There was never an idle moment in Greg's life. He loved the outdoors and saw God in every aspect of nature. He was an avid fly fisherman, boat builder, mountain biker, hiker, camper, and all-around outdoorsman. A climbing trip to Camp Muir with his uncle, Tim Stark (his dad's brother), claimed the life of both men on May 21 when both experienced climbers died of apparent hypothermia during a sudden, severe storm at the 8,500 foot elevation of Mt. Rainier.

Greg's constant smile and tremendous sense of humor were infectious and his loyalty to his family and friends was paramount. He was often described as a totally selfless man — always focused on how he could be of service to others.

Greg is survived by his parents, Mike and Barbara Stark of Royal City; his brother Mike (wife April) of Cheney; his sister Colleen Bell (husband Justin); his sister Tara Cloutier (husband Michael) of Moses Lake; 5 nieces: Courtney, Emma, Peyton, Avery and Isabella; his devoted girlfriend, Christy Kinney; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and Greg's "Gram B".

Imagining a day without Greg's smile, hugs and cheerful conversation will be difficult for his family and friends, but we will all take comfort and peace in knowing that Greg rests securely in the arms of his Savior and that heaven welcomed him with a joyful celebration.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Evening Hatch Fly Shop in Ellensburg, to be used for the establishment of a youth fly-fishing program in Greg's name.

A Christian Memorial Mass was be celebrated Friday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church in Shoreline.

Inurnment of Greg's ashes will be conducted in July in Polson, Montana, overlooking Flathead Lake, where Greg and his family spent countless hours at his paternal grandparents' lake home.

For those of you who would like to share your special memories of Greg, his family encourages you to go online to www.personalalternative.com and add your words to the Memorial Register. These thoughts and stories will be available for all of Greg's friends and family to view online, and then be printed and bound for a keepsake for his family.

A Memorial Eucharistic Service will be con-celebrated by Deacons Bob Schrom and Frank Martinez at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Royal City on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The arrangements are in care of Personal Alternative Funeral Services.