Timothy Michael Roark

Long time Atlanta resident Timothy Michael Roark, age 82, Passed away peacefully at Northside Hospital after several years of declining health due to a battle with dementia. In his final years, Tim was a resident of The Orchard in Brookhaven and the family wishes to thank the compassionate staff for his care.

Tim was born in Cleveland Ohio to Esther Bordo Roark and John Floyd Roark on November 15,1942. After numerous family corporate transfers, the family transferred to Dallas, Texas where Tim graduated from Richardson High School where he was president of his senior class and he played varsity football.

From there, Tim graduated from Yale University in New Haven majoring in history and political science and was in the Navy ROTC. After graduation, he fulfilled his four-year commitment as a Navy officer where he saw combat duty off of Vietnam.

Following time in the Navy, Tim took some time off to travel around North America and Europe. While traveling in Europe, Tim was recruited by a mutual funds company, and they sent him to Zambia where he lived for a number of years selling investments to the European miners. That experience led to a lifetime interest in minerals and gemstones.

Traveling in Europe, Tim met and married his first wife, Agneta (Neta) Nordenstrom,a native Swede. Tim and Neta traveled extensively in Africa for business, recreation and adventure. Ultimately, Tim and Neta returned to Atlanta where they formed Tim Roark Imports, a company importing raw material to be cut into a variety of colored gemstones. The company prospered and became a well-respected national supplier of cut gemstones. The company continues to this day under the leadership of his long time partner Malinda Daniel. Tim was deeply involved in his trade and served on the board of the American Gem Trade Association for years.

Sadly, Tim and Neta separated in the 1980s and Neta returned to her native Sweden. Tim continued to build TRI. Tim’s second marriage to jeweler Becky Thatcher produced his only son, Devin Thatcher Roark. This marriage unfortunately ended as well.

Tim continued managing TRI imports with semiannual trips to Africa and Asia where he knew many of the mine operators and considered them good friends.

Tim is survived by his only son, Devin Thatcher Roark of Atlanta and Glen Arbor MI. and his sister, Patricia (Pati)Roark Patrick (Dick) of Hilton Head Island, two nieces and their families and numerous cousins.

There are no planned funeral services but a celebration (Tim requested a party) of Tim's life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by H M Patterson and Son-Oglethorpe. Donations in Tim's memory can be made to Save the Children or a charity of one’s choice.