Roeland Park man arrested on first-degree murder charges, records show

A Roeland Park man has been arrested and charged with murder in the July death of another Roeland Park man, according to jail records and documents filed in Johnson County court.

Kerry Paul Malone, 55, was charged Aug. 23 with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of David Earl Stark, 65. He was arrested in Johnson County on Tuesday.

The altercation that allegedly led to Stark’s death happened on July 18, according to Johnson County court documents. According to an obituary posted online, Stark passed away two days later, on July 20.

His death had not been publicly classified as homicide before Tuesday.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office was unavailable Tuesday evening to comment on Stark’s death

According to his obituary, Stark was born in Overland Park and raised in multiple states, graduating from high school in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He served in the Air Force before starting a career at Alpine Lithographics, a commercial printer based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Stark’s family and friends described him as funny and industrious, with a lifelong passion for art and music. He played the guitar in several local bands, according to the obituary.

“His gentle sound was a blessing to so many,” Stark’s obituary read.

Stark was preceded in death by wife Brenda and son Brandon.

Malone was previously incarcerated multiple times in Kansas, according to court records. Between 1993 and 2009, he was convicted of charges including aggravated arson, battery, criminal damage, possession with intent to sell drugs and harassment by telephone.

Malone is being held on a $1 million bond. His first court appearance has not been scheduled.