Norman Stark, who recorded with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and was a leader in the Cheyenne, Wyoming community, passed away Feb. 2, 2015, in Sarasota, Fla., after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 94.
A memorial service is scheduled later this spring at Cheyennes Mount Sinai Synagogue, where he was a lifelong member.
He was involved in computer instruction and teaching, setting up his own and his neighbors networks, the family said. His best phone calls were to Apple support for hours at a time.
He was never bored and brought great joy and love to all who knew him.
Mr. Stark was born Feb. 25, 1920, in Cheyenne to Sam and Annie Stark.
He graduated Cheyenne High School and DUs Lamont School of Music in 1941.
Mr. Stark served with the US Army in the European Theater from 1942-1946 and was discharged as a captain. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre.
Following the war, he pursued a career as a pianist and vocalist in New York, recording with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Buddy Cole Trio under the Decca label.
Mr. Stark returned to Cheyenne as co-owner of Sam Stark and Sons, a Wyoming institution in mens clothing since 1908.
Very active in the Cheyenne community, he was a director or officer of the American National Bank, DePaul Hospital, the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, Mens Wear Retailers of America, Wyoming Council of the Arts, the Cheyenne Symphony and the Laramie County Council of the Arts.
Later he became a real estate developer in Denver and Boulder.
Mr. Stark, who was named Mountain States Retailer of the Year, retired with his wife Mary to Sarasota in 1988 to be near his son Dr. Doran Stark.
He always returned to Cheyenne in the summers to be with his friends.
Mary Stark passed away in 2005.
Mr. Stark is survived by his son Dr. Doran (Janice) Stark of Lakeland, Wyo.; and his two grandsons Aaron and Austin.
Copyright © 2015 by the Intermountain Jewish News
