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Kenny Roark Obituary
Mr. Roark coached at Clay County last fall.
"He was a wonderful fellow," Clay County athletic director Robert Nicholson said. "The staff here just loved him. It's just heart-breaking."
Nicholson said Mr. Roark had "a long fight with health problems" that became more serious during the winter.
"He was such a positive role model for our kids. Not only X's and O's and strategy and teaching, but just a good person," Nicholson said.
Mr. Roark was synonymous with Middlesboro football for a long time. He was a star lineman on the Yellowjackets' Class 2A state runners-up in 1974 and '75.
He later coached Middlesboro for 17 years and led it to a Class A title in 1998. His son Chase, then 5 years old, was on the sidelines for that championship game.
Mr. Roark was Middlesboro's coach in Chase's freshman and sophomore years, but he got out of coaching the next season.
Still a teacher at Middlesboro, he was able to watch his son play during the 2010 season.
Mr. Roark got back into coaching at Clay County last year. Chase could have transferred and played for his dad, but he chose to stay at Middlesboro. "He loves his buddies and wanted to play with them their senior year," Roark said last fall. "I understood that."
Mr. Roark had a standout career at UK where he played center and earned All-SEC honors in 1980.
"Kenny was just a great human being," said Jon Mirilovich, his position coach at UK. "He was always there, always attentive, always worked hard."
-- By Mike Fields | [email protected]
Memories and Condolences
for Kenny Roark
11 Entries
Chelsea Spurlock
April 22, 2012
Prayers go out to Chase, Ashley and the rest of the family! Coach Roark will be missed at Clay County!!
Geraldine [Boots} Smith
April 21, 2012
Sorry to hear about Kenny..
My Thoughts And Prayers
Are With You And Your Family
Clay County Board Member
Jennings and Irene Deaton
April 21, 2012
With Deepest Sympathy
For Your Great Loss..
My Throughts And Prayers
Are With You
Mary Riggs LeBus
April 21, 2012
So many laughs will be remembered with Kenny & friends during our college years. I'll always attribute "ya got a minute?" to Kenny. Prayers for his children, family & friends.
Jennings & Irene Deaton
April 21, 2012
With Deepest Sympathy
For Your Great Loss
My Thoughts And Prayers Are With You
Jennings and Irene Deaton
Manchester, Ky.
Frank Vicini
April 21, 2012
Kenny was not only a great Coach but also a great friend. I'll always remember his his humor and the great stories he told. I'll be praying for the family in this time of grief. God Bless!
Billy Hamblin
April 21, 2012
Truly a great friend, we shared a lot of memories. I will miss you may God bless your soul.
Jeff DossJeffD
April 21, 2012
Great spirit, great laugh, greater man. God Bless the family.
Scott Willliamson
April 21, 2012
So sorry to hear this sad news, Kenny was a Great guy. Sincere condolences to his family. Scott Williamson family, Corbin, Lexington.
Jeff Perkins
April 21, 2012
My father was Kenny's high school football coach, so naturally, I feel like I've known him all my life (I suppose I have). Over the years, he had a tremendous positive influence on me, even to the point that I actually tried to lisp like him for a year or two in my teens. He was my hero.
As adults, our paths crossed less frequently, but he always went out of his way to say hello, talk as much as time and circumstances would allow, and leave me feeling very fortunate and special to still have his friendship. I will miss him terribly.
My deepest condolences to his mother Edith, his sisters and his children.
Henry Hatfield
April 21, 2012
Sadly missed by all .
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