With full hearts and deep love, we – his daughters, Tanja and Christina – share the passing of our father, Mr. Jack S. Roark, Jr. Dad left us on June 30, 2026, at the age of 85, in Lewisburg, WV, where he lived for more than 35 years.
He worked proudly as an Air Traffic Controller at the Greenbrier Valley Airport until retiring at age 72, a career he shared with dedication and commitment. He spent those years alongside his beloved late wife, Marty Morrow Roark, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage.
Born in Salisbury, NC, Dad was the son of Jack Roark, Sr. and Marion Leona Shelton. He graduated from Boyden High School, Class of 1959, and soon enlisted in the United States Air Force as an air traffic controller. He married our mother, Mary Francis Terrell of Spencer, NC, and together they welcomed us – his daughters, Tanja Roark Hemric and Christina Roark Koon – who survived him and carry his love forward.
Dad is also survived by his sister, Patricia Roark Payne; nephew Christopher Payne; nieces Tammy Payne Wright and Angie Payne Pennington; and great-nephews Alden and Baron Wright of Salisbury, NC. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him endless joy: Dana, Branden and Ashley Hemric; Kristopher Riley Blakely; Cody, Avah and Mary Boles; Kyndal Wincey; Kala Copp; Kyle and Karter Koon; Alyssa, Amelia, Ashlyn, and Jack Copp; Genevieve, Weston, and Easton Wincey.
Dad loved fishing in the Greenbrier River and walking along the coastlines of the Carolinas. He held his pilot’s license and found peace flying small planes over the West Virginia mountains. He was a loving father who instilled Christian values, kindness, generosity, and love in all of us. We will forever remember him as our guiding light.
A graveside service will be held on July 17, 2026 at 1 p.m. at the Rowan Memorial Park in Salisbury, NC. The Summersett Funeral Home will be assisting the Roark family in Salisbury.
