Donald Alan Roark, 66, passed away peacefully on 18 June, 2018 after a lengthy courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, George James Roark, Jr. and Jean Schwartz Roark and his brother George James Roark, III. He was a native Pensacolian and the grandson of Pensacola’s first city manager, George J. Roark, Sr.
Don was a graduate of Escambia High School and then went on to attend the University of Florida obtaining his bachelor’s degree and then graduating from their School of Law in 1977 and later obtained his Masters of Law in Taxation in 1989. He remained a lifelong Gator. He practiced law in Pensacola for 20 years until he found his true passion in teaching Business Law at the University of West Florida, where he was awarded Distinguished Teacher honors in 2009. He was involved in the community, belonging to both the Jaycees and Rotary during his life. Don loved music and performed with both the Gulf Breeze and First United Methodist Church choirs and the Gulf Coast Chorale Society for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Patti Latta Roark and sons Sean and Devin Roark and his wife Kate. Also by his sister Patsy Roark, niece and nephew Ian Skuropat and Aislinn Skuropat, his niece Danica Roark Domokos, her husband Steven and her mother Linda Roark, and his sister-in-law Belinda Mayo Roark. He will be missed by all.
Visitation for family and friends is set for Monday 1:00 p.m. at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, 75 Fairpoint Dr, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 with funeral to follow at 2:00p.m. There will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall afterward prior to burial at St. John’s cemetery, 301 N G St, Pensacola, FL 32501.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Baptist Health Care Foundation-Donald Roark Fund (BHC Foundation, PO Box 17500, 32522 or www.baptisthealthcarefoundation.org), to help other cancer patients with their fight. The family would like to express their fondest thanks to Drs. Sherif Ibrahim and Anita Westafer, and Nurses Jan Rengel, Jane Webb, and Traci Lewis for their years of care and support.
Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
