I was looking through my phone and found this picture you must have taken shortly before your passing.  It touched me beyond words could convey.  It's been 4 years now and it feels like yesterday.  The pain has lessened some so that the good memories come first now but the whole in my heart is still a cavern.  I wish I could hug you one last time. I love you El. Love forever and always mom

Elliott,

I just now became aware of your passing. It's strange. I'm extremely grateful for this digital obituary because reading the stories others have posted reminds of just how incredible you always were.

When we met in middle school, I remember being jealous of you! I thought I was funny, but BOYYYY nobody could make a group laugh like you. So confident, so comfortable in your own skin. Unbelievably witty and funny. Never cruel. Never mean. I'll never forget when introduced yourself to someone saying, "Hi. My name's Elliott—you know, like Toilet, but with an extra L."

I remember in high school, we would hang out every morning and play hacky sack with Brian and Taylor (and a cavalcade of other weirdos). Even when it was 40° F outside or raining or on fire, it didn't matter. GOD HIMSELF COULD NOT STOP US. I swear, we probably would've tried to play hacky sack during a tornado. Your enthusiasm for learning new things and honing your craft, no matter how much was going on in life... it was inspirational.

I wish I had kept in touch, but I'm glad we went on the paths we did and saw the world for ourselves. I always imagined we would bump into each other in another country somehow and get all excited, like a couple of puppies. It would've been nice to grab a meal. You were always so easy to talk to. 

Anyway, I doubt your spirit is lounging about and sitting on some celestial bean bag chair, scrolling through yo-yo TikToks and obituary notifications, BUT if you do somehow come across this message... you still owe me $20. Also, I'm so immensely proud of you and the life you lived. I love you, Elliott, so so much and I will never forget you.

Keep on traveling, bud.

To my dearest Elliott, 

You will always be my best and only spud bud. If you didn’t notice, I wasn’t the only struggling colleague that you’ve helped to become a teacher during the CELTA teaching certification program in July of 2014. You’ve impacted everyone in that group by your light, by your smile, and by your  wicked sense of humor. I've always admired your confidence and I will miss how you hilariously fluttered your beautiful eyes at me to make me jealous of them.  I always chuckle to myself every time that image played in my mind. Ultimately, I will never ever forget your kindness and compassion. I wouldn't be in Vietnam teaching English today if it wasn't for you, and I will continue to pay it forward to my students, to my TAs, to my colleagues, and to anyone I cross paths with in your memory. 

Elliott, you were also unapologetically yourself and unafraid to show your emotions. On our last day together in August of 2014, as I drove you to the bus station, you were crying and I joked that men don’t cry and you snapped back with “Shut up! I know my body!” Touché. I couldn’t argue against that! Do you know why I didn’t cry? It’s because I never thought of it as a “good bye.” It was a “hope to see you again soon  in Asia or wherever you may be in the world.”  

I will miss you lots!

Your spud bud,

"Kimothy" Tran


Elliott,
I cannot forget the moment when you joined our English study club in Korea. You surprised all the members with your fluent Korean speech. And you always respect all people you met, made the ambient much comfortable with your bright smile.
I was so happy that you have the same interest in the camera, you are my first and the best foreign camera buddy in Korea.
All your friends in Korea miss you so much, I'm a lucky person that I met you and had such a joyful time with you.
You will always be in my heart, buddy.
Love you.

The only wish I will ever have again is that I had just five minutes more to tell you that I love you and could have given you a proper goodbye. We know you are with Papa and your cats, hold a place for me. I loved you, still love you and will always love you until I see you again.
Dad  

I didn't know Elliott very well, but I do think about him often! In 2014 I took a teaching certification class, which is where I met Elliott.  He stopped me from giving up and quitting the course multiple times.  i wanted to quit, it was very challenging... and not only for me.  Elliott didn't hesitate for a single moment to put his hard work aside to help out a stranger.  By the end of the month, we all became a very close group.. but unfortunately, I did a poor job in staying in contact with everyone.  But I hope your family knows how loved and appreciated Elliott is... even by people who didn't know him very well. I am a teacher today and I like to think a HUGE part of this is due to Elliott and his kindness and generosity and willingness to help out others, even if it means he has to put his own difficulties and responsibilities aside momentarily. That is the literal definition of a "kindhearted person".

Elliott: There are many pictures and memory about you, when you and other people went to Beijing with me doing the study abroad...your laughing pictures, and then you graduated and we became good friends, you taught me how to bake maccaron (the dough should be smooth, do not overstir); and I taught you how to bake mooncake...you gave me Al who is now the boss of the four cats (and two human beings) at my home;I was ready to listen to your guitar, and wait  to read your book...and your paintings...and all the messages and short videos before 0429 are still there and you taught me how to observe whether the two cats were playing or fighting ...I can't stop my tears, you are such a great person with great smile and great sense of humor, no one can NOT love you after they meet you! My friend, you will always be in my heart. I feel lucky to have the chance to meet such a joyful, enriched and smiling soul. My friend, life is too cruel...

Elliott,
                   I remember when you guys were visiting & we were at Todd's house. You were about 3 or 4 if that. While all the other kids were outside you were inside reading books! We knew then you were special, and always would be.

Tam, Steve & Em,
                                       I cant say enough how sad I am for you. I am thinking of you with love and prayers.
Love, Julie
XOXO




What a shock that brought such great sorrow. We knew you were very intelligent when you were writing before the age of 3 
We always had so much fun when you would come over and spend the night 
With me and papa.
Your life was cut way to short I will forever miss you.

Elliott you excelled in everything you did
You chose the road of adventure and lived 
life to the fullest.
You will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing you. I love you

I am so empty without you. We were supposed to take care of Mom and Dad together. You were supposed to live your life, on the road. You were supposed to take stunning pictures of the world through your eyes. You were supposed to change hobbies a million times, never settling. We were to reminisce of the old days, to lean on each other through thick and thin. You were to look after me, give me a hard time, and laugh about it later, together. We were supposed to exchange horror stories of our jobs, while growing in the process.
You were and are so loved by so many people. I'm so, so sorry you had to pass the way you did, but you did with hope that help was possible, and me by your side. I hope you know how everyone fought for your life. Because you are so, so important and loved. Goodbye, For Now, Bubba. Keep Papa and Boo company, they'll love it. I never got to say it, but I love you so, so much.

Elliott will be greatly missed. I loved his laugh and sense of adventure.  We were so suprised and excited for him, when he decided to move to China to teach English.  Prayers go out to Steve, Tammy and Emily.  Love you all.
Lisa and David Phillips


Where do I begin? My Son was the most generous, selfless,  sensitive, real person I've ever known. I feel so lucky he was mine. He was always there for advice, a shoulder to lean on, or a different perspective. He gave so much in his time with us. He traveled to Busan, South Korea in 2015 to teach English to children from Elementary and then his last year there,  high school. He came back to Texas February of 2020. We were so happy to have him back home. He loved guitar and taught himself to play and his beautiful melodies filled the house often. He was so good at it. He did photography which he was very good at, also. He had started painting with oils and pastels his last year here and I was blown away by his talent. He was talented beyond measure. He had planned to start truck driving so he could travel the US and do his photography. He had a lot of ideas and plans he wanted to fulfill. He always looked on the better side of things. Always had a smile and loved to joke around and made us laugh.  He passed from an unexpected natural cause with his sister, Emily, by his side.  I can't believe such a wonderful person is gone. I love you, "Kisses".

OBITUARY

Mr. Elliott Lee Roark

24 October, 1988 – 29 April, 2021

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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