Obituary of Stark Glidden Jones

Stark Glidden Jones, 84, of Valatie, NY, passed away at his home on February 4, 2024. Born on December 31, 1939, in Scranton, PA, he was the only child of the late Archibald and Doris (Stark) Jones and the husband of his loving wife, Kathi L. (Bertino) Jones. They were married on June 17, 1983 in Roslyn, NY.

Stark graduated from Haverford College in PA where he was an avid wrestler, and Princeton Seminary in NJ, graduating in 1964 with a Master of Divinity degree. He studied at Fordham University in the Bronx toward a doctorate in Philosophy, though decided not to do his dissertation saying he had learned what he wanted to and didn't need the degree to prove it. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Wyoming in PA and over his 50+ years as a Presbyterian Minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) served churches in PA, NYC, Long Island, Mid-Hudson Valley and Columbia County, retiring in 2015.

Since moving to Columbia County in 2000, Stark was active in the Northen Columbia County Rotary Club, served on the Ichabod Crane School district Safety Council, was active in the Ichabod Crane Clergy Association, served on the Board of the Ichabod Crane Ecumenical Food Pantry and was active in the Albany Presbytery having served on the Mission Committee.

Earlier in his career, he was President of the Board of Project Real on LI which helped folks in residential housing learn to live as independently as possible given their special needs, served as Moderator of the Long Island Presbytery, and participated in mission trips to Nicaragua working with the Moravian Church there.

Stark and Kathi both served as Directors of the Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center in Holmes, NY, spending many summers working with children from all over the New York City, LI and Hudson Valley areas and served on its Board of Directors for many years. They enjoyed many trips abroad together. His love for his family, friends and life's calling was evident in all he did.

Besides his wife Kathi, he is also survived by his children, Nathan (Karen) Jones of Rockaway, NJ, Christopher and Matthew Jones, both of Valatie, NY, Robert (Denise) Kraus of Poughquag, NY and Michelle Kraus and his grandchildren, Noah, Lucy, Corinne, Ryan and Brett.

Calling hours will be from 6 - 8 PM, Friday, February 9 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie. Funeral Services will be 1 PM, Saturday, February 10 at the First Presbyterian Church, 3212 Church Street, Valatie, NY.

The ZOOM link to the service is  "CLICK HERE" or the meeting number is 849 2354 4850 and the password is 375517.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Stark's name may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Valatie or the Roslyn Presbyterian Church, Roslyn, NY.