Richard L. Roark

Richard L. Roark, 77, Seneca, Mo., passed away after a short time with pneumonia and lung cancer at 6:19 p.m. March 14, 2010, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. Richard Lynn Roark was born June 2, 1932, in Vian, Calif., the son of Cap and Beatrice (Thompson) Roark. In later years he moved to Richmond, Calif., where he worked for Standard Oil. Richard joined the Air Force and was deployed to the Korean War. After returning he went back to work at Standard Oil. Richard married Elaine Becker in 1956, and they had one son, Dan Roark. He received his Masters degree at the University of Oklahoma Tahlequah and began his teaching career in El Paso, Texas. The next two years he taught in Anderson, Mo., and then moved to Oklahoma, where he taught for Wyandotte, until retiring in 1985. Richard loved to hunt and especially enjoyed fishing off his fishing dock in which he had owned for 25 years. He enjoyed growing a big garden and sharing the fruits of his labors with his friends and neighbors. Richard loved the outdoors whether it was cutting wood or raising cattle. Just last December Richard retired from the cattle business. In his free time he loved to read Louie L'Amour books. He had many coffee shop buddies in which he and they shared many (tall tales). Richard was saved in 2009, and was a Cherokee Indian.Richard married Patty (Kirk) Felts Aug. 5, 1979, in Seneca. She survives. Additional survivors include one son, Dan Roark, Seneca; one stepdaughter, Kande Lou Felts, Seneca; three step grandchildren, Caleb Vermillion and Shiloh Vermillion, both of Seneca, and Canaan Vermillion, Branson, Mo.; two sisters, Pauline Mack, Merced, Calif., and Darlene Rhea, Seneca; one brother, Cecil Roark, El Paso. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Bonnie Forner. At Richard's request his body has been taken for cremation and a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca.