Mary Jo Stark

Mary Jo ""Jody"" Stark of Arvada, Colorado passed away on September 18, 2017 at the age of 83. Mary was born in Denver, Colorado to Thomas and Addie Fleming on January 2, 1934. Mary grew up in Arvada and attended Arvada area schools. She married Forrest Acker in 1950, and they had 3 children , Gary, Steve and Debra. Forrest and Mary divorced and in 1962, and married Gene Stark, they divorced in 1974. Mary was in the food and beverage business for most her adult life. She worked at the Continental Denver Hotel and Lounge for over 25 years. After that, she worked for Sky Chefs at Stapleton Airport in the Timberline Lounge for over 20 years. She retired partially after DIA opened up as the airport. She worked part-time at the “Behind the Eight Ball” for a friend of hers who needed her bartending expertise. Mary was a dedicated member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Arvada Chapter. She spent most of her free time at the Eagles where she had many friends and organized fundraisers for people in need and held Sunday morning breakfast to fundraise for the clubs operating needs. Mary liked to travel to Laughlin, Nevada for fun filled trips to the casinos along the Colorado River. During her earlier days, she took cruises and traveled to Ireland and Italy. Mary started declining when her Eagles Club closed the doors and most of her closest friends passed away. She spent her last 2 years at the Colorado Exempla Lutheran Home, before passing away September 18, 2017. Mary is survived by her daughter, Debra (Clint) Oplinger; sister, Judith (Ken) Amidon; daughter-in-laws, Susan Acker and Pam Epperson; 5 granddaughters, Joell Press, Tonya Acker, Lisa Dorsey, Laura Acker and Kelli Fisher and seven great-grandchildren. Mary is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Thomas Fleming, Jr.; sister, Sara “Sally” Giffin; her 2 sons, Gary Acker and Steve Acker and her granddaughter, Erin Bernard. A Visitation will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017 beginning at 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, Arvada, Colorado. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 11:00 AM also at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel in Arvada. The family will receive family and friends for a reception immediately following the service at the Horan & McConaty Reception Center. Interment will follow the reception at 2:00 PM at Arvada Cemetery, 5581 Independence Street, Arvada, Colorado. Please share your memories of Jody and condolences with her family by signing the guest book below.