Russell Roark

Russell Elliott Roark was born on October 30, 1928 to Henry Russell & Ethel Roark in Pleasant Hill, Texas.

Russell’s family moved to Cleveland at the age of 2. He went on to graduate from Cleveland High School as president of the class of 1946.

He continued his education at Texas A&M University as a member of the Army Corps, graduating with the class of 1950, achieving degrees in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering and acquiring the title of Professional Engineer (P.E.). Russell continued to be an avid supporter of Aggie athletics and a member of the Ross Volunteer group.

Russell proudly served as 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army while stationed in Washington DC during WWII. He distinguished himself with his work at the Pentagon during the war.

His career as a Professional Engineer included time working for El Paso Natural Gas Pipeline in Moab, Salt Lake City, and El Paso. Russell worked with NASA during the Apollo flights and Skylab development. He went on to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor as an owner of Cleveland Hardware, and later worked with the United States Forest Service.

Russell served as president of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce.

Russell was preceded in death by his father, Henry Russell Roark; mother, Ethel Roark; sister, Jane Roark McLelland; and nephew, Larry McLelland.

Russell is survived by his loving wife Peggy; children, Bob Roark and wife Vicki, Mary Kaye Bounds and husband Brian, Donna Galanos and husband Peter, and John Roark and wife Lorie; grandchildren, Rachel Stange and husband Fred, Megan Vick and husband Dustin, Courtney Givens, Michael Givens, Alex Galanos, Brittany Latz and husband Travis, Sarah Spoon and husband Tyler, Katie Atkins and husband Kyle, and Jonathan Roark; great grandchildren, Alexandra Stange and Catherine Stange; nephew, Joe McClelland and wife Sue; stepchildren, Mark Allen and wife Beth, Kathy Allen Boone & husband Dan, their children and grandchildren, Laura and husband Aaron, Daniel, Jeannelle, Adelle, Paisley, Kaydence, and Bishop.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 24, 2016 at Pace Stancil Chapel, Cleveland, Texas. Services will follow starting at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 24, 2016 at Pace Stancil Chapel, Cleveland, Texas. Interment will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park, Cleveland, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to The American Alzheimer Association, The First United Methodist Church, and/or leadforone.org, a non-profit sponsored by Russell’s granddaughter.