FORT SCOTT — Dr. Robert Wayne Stark, known affectionately as Wayne to his friends and family, passed away on Aug, 19, 2025, due to heart complications. Born on April 14, 1937, in Blue Mound, Kan., the son of Nolan Vern Stark and Mary Maxine Stark. Wayne’s life was a beacon to all who knew him and to the Lord Jesus Christ. He departed this world in Fort Scott, Kan., surrounded by the warmth of his family’s love.
Wayne grew up in the rolling plains of Kansas and carried the spirit of his homeland throughout his life. He graduated Fort Scott High School in 1955 and furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he completed a 2-year Farm & Industry Short Course. At the age of 22, after attending a revival service at Grace Baptist Tabernacle, he knelt down in the milking barn on their dairy farm and asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins and to be his Lord and Savior. Wayne’s faith played a central role in his life, guiding him to the Arlington Baptist Seminary, where he earned his Bachelors of Divinity in 1965. His profound impact on the community and unwavering dedication to his faith were recognized with an Honorary Doctorate of Theology degree from Salt Lake Baptist College in 2015. Wayne was also deeply patriotic and served his country in the US Army National Guard in Kansas, Wisconsin and Texas from 1955 to 1964.
Wayne was a man of many talents and passions. He found joy in the demanding life of dairy farming and his entrepreneurial spirit shone through as he owned and operated several businesses. Wayne’s calling as a pastor and evangelist was a testament to his faith-centered life, touching the hearts and souls of countless individuals. He pastored churches in both Chapman and LaCrosse, Kan. He invested the last years of his life traveling the Western United States as an Evangelist with the Baptist Circuit-Riding Mission. He loved helping small congregations of believers in rural areas, Wayne often said, “there is no small work with God.” He was a faithful member of First Bible Baptist Church in Great Bend, Kan.
Beyond his professional and spiritual accomplishments, Wayne was a family man at his core. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Nina Sue Gaunt-Stark; brother, Dick Stark; and sister, Nancy Erwin. His legacy continues through his son, James Stark; daughters, Jennifer Ballou and Julie Buchta; step-son, Neal Morgan; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 15 step-great grandchildren; and six step-great-great grandchildren, all of whom will miss him deeply.
An avid outdoorsman, Wayne found great joy in hunting and fishing. His skill and passion for training and showing Welsh ponies were renowned.
To know Wayne was to know a man whose life was a reflection of the values he held dear – friendliness, hard work, and an unshakeable faith. His presence was a comforting and steady force, and he approached each day with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit ready to serve others. He would want everyone to know the promise of eternal life though faith in Jesus Christ who sacrificed himself on the cross to offer forgiveness of our sins!
As we bid farewell to Wayne, we do so with heavy hearts, yet we are comforted by the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ knowing that we will see him again!
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25th at the Bethel Community Church west of Ft. Scott. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery at Blue Mound, Kan. The family will receive friends on Monday at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to the Baptist Circuit-Riding Mission and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Cheney Witt Chapel
P.O. Box 347
Ft. Scott, KS 66701
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 23, 2025
