Raymond Roark

Raymond H. Roark, 92, of Independence, MO peacefully passed away Saturday, May 28, 2011 at his home with his family by his side. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Speaks Suburban Chapel. Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at Speaks. Burial in Oak Ridge Memory Gardens. Raymond was born March 18, 1919 in Denver, CO to Clarence and Rebecca (Richardson) Roark. Mr. Roark attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where he was admitted on a basketball scholarship. Soon after, Raymond was drafted and where he proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Infantry. He was stationed in Hawaii, the Philippines, Okinawa, and the Aleutians. Raymond was united in marriage on June 30, 1948 to Virginia J. Lewis, and together they shared almost 63 years of happiness. Mr. Roark was an elder and member of South Chrysler Restoration Branch of Independence, MO. Raymond was a successful wheat farmer formerly of Wiggins, CO where he ranched and farmed 5,300 acres of land. He ran for State Representative as the Democratic Party candidate for Morgan County in CO. Mr. Roark served as a member of the Colorado Wheat Committee to the State Legislature for years. Ray and Virginia moved to Independence in the 1980’s. He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; son Ronald Roark and wife Gerry; daughter Cinda Chapman and husband Charles; seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son John Roark; daughter Sharon Kersey.