Janice Bowden Stark

Janice Bowden Stark, 94, passed away on October 30, 2026, in Lampasas, Texas.  She was born on November 14, 1931, in Burnet County, Texas, to parents Ward G. Bowden and Joda Gibson Bowden.  She grew up there and attended the Lampasas schools, graduating high school in 1948.  She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas State College for Women (TWU) in 1952.  She was an occupational therapist for several years at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, serving as director of Occupational Therapy and Volunteers.  She later worked as an interior designer for 20 years. 

She married Thomas J. Stark, Jr., in 1956, and they made Dallas their home for over 50 years.

She was a long-time member of University Park United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the Park City Club, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, the Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and the Dallas Southern Memorial Association, serving as curator and president from 1997 - 1999.  Her interest in historical preservation motivated her to research and obtain a historical marker for Dobyville Cemetery in Burnet County in 1996.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ward G. and Joda Bowden; her husband, Thomas J. Stark Jr.; her brother, John Ryburn Bowden of Lampasas; her sisters-in-law, Glenna Bowden of Lampasas and Joyce Seay of Comanche; her nieces, Ginger Seay of Kerrville and Carrie Bowden Kirk of Lampasas; and her nephew, Stacy Kirk of Lampasas.

She is survived by her brother-in-law, Jerry Stark, and wife, Louise, of Comanche; her nephews, John Edward Bowden (Eddie) and wife, Debby, of Lampasas, and Terry Bowden and wife, Leann, of McGregor; her niece, Kay Killpatrick and husband, Stephen, of Georgetown; and her nephew, Troy Stark of Comanche.  She is also survived by numerous great-nieces and nephews and some great-greats.  

Graveside services will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Comanche on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 11 am.