Daniel Pence Starks

On a beautiful summer evening, surrounded by people that love him, Daniel P. Starks began the next grand adventure and left his mortal body to attend what must have been one heck of a party thrown by those that went before him. It seems an impossible task to try and surmise Daniel’s life in a few paragraphs, however I can share that Dan was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 17th, 1932 and spent the next 91 years living life to the fullest. His younger years were spent with his parents and two sisters, who famously never fought. Early on the Starks family moved several times before settling in Southern CA, where dad graduated high school and served an LDS mission to Northern CA. Dad has always enjoyed being social and tales from his youth reflected his social nature with treasured stories of fun and adventure with his many friends. Daniel finally settled down and married, after meeting Ruth LaDawn Watterson, a young school teacher from Logan, UT in the Los Angeles LDS temple. Together they raised six children that are so proud to call him Dad. Dad loved and cared for our mother with such compassion and gentleness and her love for him was fierce and complete in return. I miss seeing them snuggled together watching an old black and white movie on the couch.
Dan’s chosen profession was that of a refrigeration engineer and while in CA, he was employed at North American Aviation, which contracted with NASA on the Apollo space missions. When we moved from Southern CA to Logan, UT in the early 1970’s, Dad started his own business called Dan’s Valley Refrigeration where he worked into his 80’s before retiring. A core component of Dan is his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he has served in many capacities; however his passion was the opportunity to work at the Logan Tabernacle, which he did until it closed due to Covid restrictions in 2021. Dan turned the calling of being responsible for opening and closing the Tabernacle into a full-time position of running programs, setting up the stage, organizing events, giving tours and doing whatever was asked of him. Dad loved the opportunity to meet new people, share his musical talent of playing the organ, and teaching about the gospel. Serving in the Tabernacle was one of the happiest times of his life.
Dad truly lived his 91 years by serving, working hard, and continuously learning. Dad was my own personal google app well before such a thing existed. He retained and developed a great library of knowledge throughout his life by using his sharp mind, keen intellect, curious nature, and a legendary memory. Dad actively sought to understand ALL things and spent hours daily in that pursuit. More than anything, Dan loves people and his social nature and humble demeanor put others quickly at ease. If you were to spend 5 minutes talking with him, you became a life-long friend and someone he loves. The skill of loving people was one of Dad’s super powers.
Dan is survived by his sister Marcia Hymen, his children: Shawn Starks, Rob & Rakele Starks, Holly Starks, Bob & Connie Starks, Heather & Brian Skalka, and a large gaggle of grand and great-grandchildren. Dan is preceded in death by his parents Virdie and Margaret Starks, his sister Patricia Checketts, our mother LaDawn Starks, a son Mark Starks as well as a whole bunch of dear friends and extended family…he loves us all!!!
The world seems a little less bright and colorful without you Dad. We love you and miss you but rejoice for the reunions taking place and the new adventure you have begun. The family would like to thank the many healthcare professionals that looked after Dad, especially those from Primrose Hospice; you became Dad’s dear friends, and he loves you. A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 17th from 6-8pm at Nelson Funeral home, 162 E. 400 N Logan, UT. There will also be a viewing from 10:30-11:30am on Friday, August 18th, at Larkspur Chapel, on 600 S. 94 W. prior to the funeral at noon. Interment will follow at the Lewiston City Cemtery.

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