Obituary: Robert Gene Roark
Services for Deacon Robert Gene Roark, 62, Tonganoxie, were Friday at Christ Church of the Jesus Hour, Kansas City, Kan.
Mr. Roark died Friday, May 25, 2007.
He was born Oct. 23, 1944, in Brinkley, Ark., the son of Charles and Ora Roark. He was an area resident of more than 50 years, coming from Arkansas.
Mr. Roark attended Wyandotte High School, where he won all-state honors in the shot put, Pratt Junior College, and the University of Cincinnati, where he played football.
e also graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute.
He worked as an artist all his life. He also worked for Chief Freight Line as a loader, was a substitute teacher, worked for Wal-Mart, The Woodlands, and most recently for the U.S. Treasury Department.
He retired in 1998.
Mr. Roark was a member at Christ Church of the Jesus Hour, Kansas City, Johnson County Art Association and the local Teamsters.
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Oretha Roark (Douglas-Gray); three children, Bridgette Roark-Sample, Kansas City, Kan., Robert A. Roark, Olathe, and Douglas A. Gray, Kansas City, Mo.; two brothers, Willie Roark, Baltimore, and Robert L. Turner, Kansas City, Kan.; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and special friends Nathaniel and Arletta Grey and Gladys Drummer.
The family suggests memorials to Christ Church of the Jesus Hour or the National Kidney Foundation, sent in care of Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., Kansas City, KS 66112.