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Lt. Col. Carl F. Roark (U.S. Army ret.), a resident of Albuquerque for 12 years, died on November 29 after a very long, courageous, and always upbeat struggle with emphysema. He leaves his wife of 59 years, Geneva P. Roark, memories of a lifetime of love and devotion. He leaves his three children the responsibility to carry on; knowing that he had shown them how, and he leaves his son-in-law and his daughters-in-law his never ending gratitude for his seven grandchildren. Lt. Col Roark was born in 1922 in Allen, Oklahoma. He was the third of Bess and Frank Roark's seven children. His father called him Rusty because of his hair and his family and friends called him Russ long after his hair had turned snow white. The Roark family was raised in the farm country of Oklahoma and Kansas. Russ graduated from high school in Gypsum, Kansas, and joined the army in 1940. He rose through the ranks, was commissioned in 1942 and proudly served as an artillery officer for 30 years. His overseas assignments included the Pacific theater, Japan, Burma, Germany, and Vietnam. His decorations included the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Joint Services Commendation Medal. After completing his military service in 1972, Russ became the Executive Director of the Southern Arizona Cerebral Palsy Foundation in Tucson, Arizona. Over the next twenty years as his love for the children that were served by the foundation grew, he worked his way down to bus driver in order to be able to spend more time with "his kids." He used his skill as a woodworker to make them custom chairs, physical therapy accessories, and toys. He was devoted to the work of the Civitans in Tucson and treasured his fellowship with the members of the Old Pueblo Club. He moved to Albuquerque in 1991 to be closer to his family. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow, he enjoyed the view of the mountains from his patio, and he enjoyed the weather; many times he was able to enjoy all three at once. There will be a service at Trinity at the Marketplace, 2520 Chama. NE, on Wednesday, December 3, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Peter Schoew officiating. Interment with military honors will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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