Patrick H. Roark

Patrick H. Roark was born May 31, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, north of the river. His parents were Harry Bruce Roark and Edith Evelyn Rose Roark. He had one brother, Michael Roark, who has remained his life-long friend. Pat and his wife of 62 years, Louise, have three children, Mathew, Elizabeth, and Dillon. Matt and his wife, Janette, have three children, Brad, Sarah, and John. Sarah and her husband, Cooper Ennis, have two children, Evie and Oaklynn. John is engaged to Arin Bailey. Liz and her husband, Todd Cone, have five children, Henry, Emma, John, Mary, and Elise. Dillon and his wife, Rachel, have three children, Bella and Scott, and a son who passed away, Patrick Charles Roark. Family was very important to Pat. His family knew they were deeply loved, supported, and prayed for daily. Many of Pat’s childhood memories include his brother, Mike. They literally walked to Avondale Elementary School uphill both ways due to the hilly terrain. They rode bikes over an old train trestle bridge across the Missouri River to the electric train store. They played in the apple orchard and tended their dad’s half acre garden. Pat could outrun anyone in the neighborhood. At North Kansas City High School, Pat ran track and was part of the Purple Hornets All-State Relay Team in 1959, setting the school record. He excelled in school, keeping himself busy by doing extra work in the back of the trigonometry book. He rewrote the Letterman’s Constitution to qualify for Honor Society, and his grades earned him an academic scholarship to Kansas University in 1959. Pat earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He spent his undergraduate summers in Kansas City, Missouri designing semi-trailer tanks for Standard Steel along with his father. He was recognized and respected for his mechanical and drafting skills. Pat met his wife, Mary Louise Kane, in the cafeteria of Hashinger Hall at KU. They were married June 20,1964 at First Christian Church in Bartlesville. After a short honeymoon in Tulsa, they returned to Lawrence where Pat began law school. Pat graduated from KU Law School in 1967. In addition to general practice, he represented children in deprived and delinquent matters. Pat found the deepest satisfaction in advocating for over 3,000 youth. He was recognized by Child Welfare and the Washington County Association for Mental Health for his commitment to children. He practiced for over 50 years with the firm of Kane, Kane, Kane, and Roark. Pat had a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. He started Apple Apparel Corporation, which included Apple, then the Village Bug, and Unicorn. These clothing stores were followed by County Killarney, Tin Lizzy, Village Bee and the Madison Shop. Stores were located in Bartlesville, Tulsa, and Stillwater. Pat conceived and operated J. Patrick O’Malley’s, an 1890’s style Dinner House in Tulsa with Tiffany lamps, intricate woodwork, hand-tooled leather menus, and outstanding entrees. Pat and Louise made many trips to the Apparel Mart in Dallas. Pat worked with his brother, Mike, during this time. As Pat’s life focus began to change, so did his priorities. Eventually, the Apparel Shop’s warehouse, at 122 South Park in downtown Bartlesville, was closed and donated to “On the Rock Ministries”, a Christ-centered recreation center, which actively serves area youth today. In 1974, Pat was talking to a minister of the church they attended. The minister commented, “Church is a good place to raise kids”. Pat sensed there must be more, and he and Louise began attending St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. While praying on a kneeler, Pat asked, “Lord, if you are there, I need to know.” The Lord responded, “I AM.” Pat became devoted to pursuing the Lord. He attended University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee, by correspondence, and in 1983, graduated from Education for Ministry (EfM). In 1995, Pat was ordained a Perpetual Deacon in the Episcopal Church. He served at the altar, taught multiple adult Bible studies and high school Sunday School, sponsored the EYC youth group, and taught Education for Ministry courses. As in his legal profession, his greatest joy was working with the youth. In 1997, Pat became an ordained priest in the Evangelical Episcopal Church and started Church of the Resurrection, nicknamed “The Ark”. He continued to teach Bible study for 45 years using the inductive method, which challenged believers to discover God’s truth for themselves through observation, interpretation, and application of Scripture, fostering a deeper relationship with God. Pat was a past Jaycee, officer and board member of the United Way from 1984-2007, president of the Bartlesville Family YMCA, chairman of the Washington Country Graduated Sanctions Program, member of Washington County Child Guidance and Children’s Services Association, board member of Washington County Mental Health Association and a member of noon Rotary Club. He received the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Outstanding Citizen Award for longtime commitment to improving the quality of life for people in the Bartlesville area. He was a founding board member of On the Rock Ministries and received the 2016 Champion Award. Besides serving on the Board of Bartlesville Symphony, he enjoyed and supported OK Mozart, Bartlesville Civic Ballet, Broadway in Bartlesville, Tulsa Opera, and Tulsa Ballet. After retiring from the practice of law, Pat became interested in genealogy. As a member of The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, he served as Oklahoma’s Governor. Pat’s ancestor Thomas Rogers arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. As a member of The Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, he served as President of the Bartlesville Chapter six years. His ancestor, Patriot William Rourke, served with General George Washington in the bitter winter at Valley Forge. Pat had 37 Revolutionary War ancestors. Pat’s hobbies included growing jalapeno peppers and working in the yard. He enjoyed bordering his yards with crepe myrtle, hydrangea, tulips, and pansies. He also enjoyed working 1000-piece puzzles. His last puzzle featured a Corvette, much like the cherry red Corvette he owned in 1970. Playing basketball regularly and competitively at the Bartlesville YMCA until the age of 50 was especially memorable to Pat. Pat and Louise enjoyed annual winter vacations in Cancun and Playa del Carmen at the Royal Resorts for over 25 years. They also travelled to Turks and Caicos and Costa Rica. Pat and Louise celebrated their Irish heritage with memorable trips to the Emerald Isle. They also enjoyed driving trips through Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the UK. Driving trips throughout the US, especially through the South, the historic Eastern Seaboard, Washington, DC, and the Rocky Mountains were highlights of vacations in the United States. Pat owned and operated, along with his son Matt, Silverlake Properties, LLC. The company built, developed, and managed residential and commercial properties, including Deerfield Estates, the Deco Building, and Buffalo Run Townhouses. Pat and Louise moved to Shangri-La on Monkey Island in May 2023. For three years, they were a part of Mountain Movers Church in Grove where they encountered the Lord each time they were on campus. Pat felt loved and nurtured by a caring and passionate group of believers and wanted to be at church every time the doors were open. He loved being part of Post Men’s Group at Midweek. He was a prayer warrior and prayed over his Prayer List daily for family, friends, and his church family. On May 1st, 2026, he returned to Bartlesville, but his heart remained at Mountain Movers Church. Pat entered the celebration of heaven on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 11:04 am. He received excellent, compassionate care from Cornerstone Hospice and The Journey Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Pat’s memory to On the Rock Ministries or The Journey Home. Visitation will be from 12-4 p.m. and the Family Will Receive Friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, August 9th at Davis Family Funeral Home and Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Rd., Bartlesville (918) 333-7665. Services will be held on Monday, August 10, at 11:00 am at Grace Community Church in Bartlesville. Arrangements are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home and Crematory - Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com

Patrick H. Roark

May 31, 1941 - July 26, 2026