Rex Charles Roark

Rex Charles Roark

Rex Charles Roark, 88 of Star City, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Dalton’s Place surrounded by his family. He was born October 22, 1931 in Little Rock to the late Frank Wendell and Evie A. Turner Roark.

In 1950 Rex was sent to San Diego, CA for basic training, then to Port Hueneme, CA for Seabee training. Following three months of Seabee training, Rex was sent to Korea for one year. After several years of deployment to many sites in the Pacific area and Alaska, he was sent to San Diego for a tour at Naval Air Station North Island. There he was in charge of transportation for the Eleventh Naval District.

In 1966 he was transferred to Port Hueneme to train in Mobile Construction Battalion 5 and deployed to Danang, Vietnam, where he was the maintenance supervisor for the battalion. His tasking was construction of base camps and roads for the Marines, base camp for the naval base at Camp Ten Sha, and various roads and bridges in the Danang area. The next deployment with MCB 5 in late 1967 was to Dong Ha area, where they supported various construction projects for the Marine and Army bases in the area.

Roark was then sent to Yokosuka, Japan in 1968 to establish an equipment overhaul program for tactile equipment for Naval Forces in Vietnam. This program overhauled over thirty pieces of equipment each month for the next three years. In 1969 Roark was once again sent to Danang RVN to the Third Naval Construction Brigade as the Command Master Chief. In 1970 the brigade supervised the withdrawal of all naval construction personnel from Vietnam.

Roark’s next assignment was to the Pentagon Navy Department, where he was responsible for writing transfer orders for Seabee personnel around the world. Roark’s last duty station was at the Thirty First Naval Construction Regiment as Command Master Chief for three years and retired in 1977. Upon retirement, he returned to Arkansas, where he was employed by Skil Corporation as Plant Manager. After five years with Skil, Roark moved to Conway, where he opened a machine installation company. Roark was forced to sell his Company and help his first wife with her battle with cancer. After her death, Roark now lives with his second wife, Sue, in Star City. Rex was a member of First Baptist Church at Star City. He was the regional President for the Fleet Reserve, past President of Arkansas State VFW, and was a member of the Governor’s Council-Veterans’ Affairs for 22 years, serving under three Governors.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife of 42 years, Daisy Christine Roark; two sons, Michael David (Rosemary) Roark and Jeffrey Scott (Rose) Roark; and two brothers, Harry Roark and Tom Roark.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Ann Roark of Star City; son, Rex Todd (Desarae) Roark of Conway; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends.

Funeral services are 2:00PM, Monday, March 9, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Star City with Bro. Marcus Rogers officiating. Visitation is 12:30-2:00PM Monday at the church. Graveside services are 2:00PM Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Crestlawn Cemetery in Conway. Pallbearers are Turner Roark, Amos Roark, Brickley Owen, Alec Roark, Joseph Grant and Jayathon Jay. Honorary pallbearer is Dudley Lowery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, Po Box 368, Star City, AR 71667.

Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online guestbook at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.

The South Arkansas Sun

Mailing Address:
PO Box 1183
Hampton, AR 71744

Phone: (870)798-3786
Fax: (870)798-2800