Jesse E. "J.E." Stark, Jr., of Lumberton, TX, passed from this life on June 5, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was 83 years of age. Most of his early life was lived in Bon Wier, TX, in Newton County. He was the last surviving child of Jesse E. Stark, Sr. and Mary Herrin Stark.

J. E. loved to hunt and fish his entire life. In recent years, he continued to raise a garden, as he had done for many years. He was also an excellent cook, with fried fish and smoked brisket being among his specialties. He worked for the U. S. Postal Service for many years, retiring in 1982. He was a faithful member of The Apostolic Church of Beaumont and served the church as Secretary/Treasurer for 12 years. He was a veteran of World War II, a corporal in Company B, 276th Infantry Regiment of the Army, and served in battles in the liberation of France and Germany.

Funeral service will be Monday, June 8, 2009, at 10:00 AM at The Apostolic Church of Beaumont, 3333 Eastex Fwy., with Rev. Marvin Cole, Rev. Lonnie Jordan and Pastor Jonathan Elms officiating. Burial will be in Davis Cemetery at Fawil near Bon Wier, TX at 2:00 PM. A gathering of family and friends will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday, June 7 at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home on 11th Street in Beaumont.

Surviving with many wonderful memories are his wife, Evelyn; daughter, Karen Hughes Randy and grandchildren, Scott Hughes and Lauren Hughes, all of Lumberton. J. E. and Evelyn would have been married for 60 years on July 2, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, James Stark Melbalene, Hollis Ray Stark Mary, Goldie Moye Tom, and Mary Frances Burr Bryant.

Faithful is an appropriate word to describe J. E….faithful to God, family, and church. "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of the Lord."