Gene Albert Stark, age 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 11, 2026, in Reno, Nevada. Born on April 4, 1937, in Phoenix, Arizona, Gene lived a wonderfully vibrant life defined by his devotion to his family, and his lifelong passion for the arts and adventure.

Gene grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he met his high school sweetheart, Dawna Jean Petersen. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on September 17, 1956. Gene and Dawna were true life partners and best friends, sharing every adventure until Dawna’s passing on March 3, 2017. Together, they raised their five children in Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, building a life centered on hard work and family.

A talented artist and a driven entrepreneur, Gene was never short on vision or ambition. Alongside Dawna, he created and operated Stark Art & Sign in Salt Lake City, where they designed everything from billboards and banners to business storefronts. Their entrepreneurial spirit also led them to own and operate the Hungry Bear Restaurants in Layton and Ogden, as well as the Golden Bowl bowling alley in Tremonton, Utah. Gene's businesses were always a family affair. He employed all of his children in his various ventures—most memorably enlisting them to wear a bear costume to attract restaurant customers, a testament to both his business savvy and his great sense of humor.

Gene was an entertainer at heart who loved to tell jokes and make people smile. Beyond his businesses, he was a prolific lifelong artist who created beautiful drawings, paintings, and statues. His dedication to his craft was unwavering; he completed his final painting the night before he passed, leaving a lasting visual legacy for his family.

A longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gene found great joy in his church membership. His favorite calling was serving as a volunteer tour guide at the LDS Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, where he could share his faith and love of history with visitors.

Gene was an adventurous soul who loved to travel with his wife and family. He was an avid motorcyclist, whether he was riding off-road in the dirt of southern Utah or cruising his street bike through the national parks with his beloved Dawna riding on the back.

In the final years of his life, Gene was incredibly blessed to have deep companionship and care. He especially enjoyed his close friendship with Marcia Winzeler. Alongside his daughter, Julie, Marcia was his best friend and greatest source of support, bringing immense joy and comfort to his later years.Gene’s legacy of love, creativity, and laughter lives on through his large and growing family. He is survived by four of his five children: Michael Stark, Jeannine Richens, Julie Wilson, and Gene Stark Jr., along with their spouses. He was a proud grandfather to 21 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Dawna, and his beloved son, Randy.

A viewing will be held Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Leavitt's Mortuary, 836 36th Street, Ogden, UT. Graveside services will be held Monday, June 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Memorial Cemetery, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT, where Gene will be laid to rest next to his wife, Dawna.