DR. DAVID T. ROARK
1945-2016
Dr. David Tuxworth Roark passed away peacefully in his home on the 4th of August 2016 in Houston, Texas at the age of 71.
David was born on the 22nd of January 1945 in Florida while his father was stationed at the US Naval Air Station at Vero Beach. Shortly after his birth, the Roarks settled in Houston and David graduated from Lamar High School in 1963. At Lamar, he was elected student council president and served as senior class president. David attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 1967. At UT, David was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and was elected Foreman of the Texas Cowboys. Upon graduating from UT, he married Jo Frances Tyng, his high school sweetheart, in 1968. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. Alfred W. Roark of Saratoga, Texas, David attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston where he was a member of Mu Delta, an honorary service society, and Alpha Kappa Kappa fraternity. He was selected by his UTMB classmates for The Gold-Headed Cane Award, an honor symbolizing the ideals of a true physician. Dr. Roark began his practice of medicine with an internship in San Antonio in 1971 and then completed his residencies in general surgery and otolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in 1976. Upon completion of his residencies, Dr. Roark served as a Major in the medical corps of the US Air Force at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas where he continued his medical practice. Dr. Roark returned to Houston in 1978 and joined the predecessor to what would become Rosewood ENT, his professional home of nearly forty years. Of his many professional recognitions, Dr. Roark was Board Certified in Otolaryngology, served as President of the Houston Society of Otolaryngology and on the Board of Directors at Columbia Rosewood Hospital. David was an integral member of his community, serving on the vestry at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church where his parents were charter members, as president of Homes of St. Mark, and as a member of Houston Country Club.
Dr. Roark’s commitment to his generations of patients was only surpassed by his love for his family. His devotion to his wife, children and grandchildren was boundless. David was a constant presence, dressed in his hospital scrubs, coaching or cheering on every sideline, recital, graduation and event of his children and grandchildrens’ lives. He was a man with an abiding faith in the Lord who lived it daily with his humble, kind, gentle, principled and loyal nature. His commitment to others extended well beyond the walls of Rosewood, and Dr. Roark could be relied on at any hour of the day or night for those who needed his care or comfort. He was a connector of people and relished visiting with his patients and exchanging stories about each other’s families. David could always be counted on to offer the needed words at the right moment with his quick wit, sage advice, and encouraging words. But he spoke loudest through his Godly actions.
Of his many passions, David took particular solace in nature, frequently retreating to Lake Travis, Beeville, and Woodville, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, working outside, and taking time away to restore and appreciate God’s creation, his family and his closest friends. He was as joyful in his beloved trailer in South Texas as he was anywhere, always followed by his lovingly spoiled Labradors: RJ, Chica Bella and Ellie.
David’s resounding legacy lives in the thousands of lives he touched. He made every patient feel like a friend, every friend feel like family, and ensured his family knew they were uniquely and unconditionally loved. He lived a life of honor.
David is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Jo Frances; his adored children, Adam and his wife Kathryn, Daniel, Mary Kathryn and her husband Seth Adams; his cherished grandchildren, Ted, Mary James, Daniel, Joseph, Amy, and Adeline; and his older brother, Don and his wife Beverly and their children, Robin, Donnie and Janie and their spouses; and his cousins, Allan, Mary Lee, Carol and their spouses. He is preceded in death by his dear parents, Alfred and Oneida Roark, and his adored aunts Mary Elizabeth Roark and Jessie Lee Roark Cain.
A memorial service celebrating his life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 9th of August, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Bagby Parish Hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Martins Episcopal Church, LifeHouse of Houston, or the National MS Society.