John Stark

John Edward Stark was born to Irene Elizabeth and Edward William Stark on April 11, 1945. He attended grade school at Waynedale Elementary School, middle school at Maplewood School, High School at Elmhurst High School and was graduated in 1963. After his High School graduation he married Patricia M. Gasper on October 28th 1963 and attended a regional campus for one semester. That union produced two handsome sons, John William Stark born May 29th 1964 and Clay Edward Stark born May 18th 1967. His first marriage ended in 1970 and a special little girl, Amber Michelle Roberson, came into his life during his single years that lasted until his second marriage to Kay S. Sweet formerly of Philadelphia and Long Island NY on August 19th 1997.

During August of 1985, he was introduced to a retired newspaper man, the late Edward Kennedy, who heard his life story. Ed said, “Colleges crank out hoards of writers, but they don’t have a story. You have a story and should learn how to write—lest it will never be told.”

He enrolled in a basic typing class at the Old Central High Night School and was tutored by Mrs. Gloria Van Slyke who further encouraged him to continue writing. His third mentor was the late Betty Grotness who once worked for the Chicago Tribune. His fourth mentor was and is Rodney Miller, currently a resident of Shenyang China. His fifth writing mentor, and current editor is; Professor Glenn Chesnut who has authored several books the most recent of which was published in the fall of 2010 and who also is a regular columnist for WN.

Tales from the Caribbean is a bi-weekly fictional creation by J.E.S., that’s now on its 33rd Chapter with many additional chapters to follow. Some of the characters are vaguely modeled after real characters he once sailed with, but the story line is strictly produced by his creative writing. “Tales” is his second effort at writing fiction and at creating fictional characters. Some of the folks in Waynedale and members of the Outlaws Soccer Team will remember his first fictional characters–a bookie, the Sports Doctor, Mademoiselle and her Mama, Jacques Le Foot, Mahmud, Father Lambini and others.

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Some of his current writer friends have more than fifty years of writing experience and with only 25 years of writing experience, JES is still a youngster. His hope, however, is that his, curious imagination, and life experiences spanning the 1960’s through 2010, and his many unique and colorful acquaintances can bridge the experience gap and make up for his lack of writing longevity…