James Nicholas Roark (Nick) was born in Wichita on April 11th, 1945, to Jean and Miriam Roark. He passed away on August 6th, 2025.
Nick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bonnie Roark, his siblings Bobbie Jean Miller and Dale Roark, and his children Shaun Roark, Heather McKim, and Jill Roark. He will also be missed by his eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Terry.
Nick earned bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Wichita State University. He worked as a metallurgist and held the role of President at Arrow Laboratory, Inc.
Nick was active for many years in the choir and as a youth group leader at Woodland United Methodist Church. He avidly worked with his hands, building furniture, the family house and barn, model airplanes, and a garden railroad. He loved music and played the trumpet, guitar, and piano up until his last days. He also loved animals, riding bicycles, and spending time in nature.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 11th at 2 pm at Woodland United Methodist Church, 1100 W 15th St N, Wichita, KS 67203. Contributions in Nick's name can be made to the Andover Augusta Rail Trail Initiative, redbudtrail.org/donate-today.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Our Leave it to Beaver neighborhood was anchored by Miriam and Jean and my parents. Nick(y), Bobbie Jean, Terry and Dale were co-conspirators with my brothers and I. What great fun day-time, night-time and firefly memories that lasted for many years. When we weren´t at one another´s houses, in in our combined yard...chances are good that we were at Woodland church.
RIP, my long-ago buddy! Phil Bogner
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Jessica Cochran
August 10, 2025
Uncle Nick was a quiet spirit with a lovely soul. Always the handyman (I still vividly remember the set of bunkbeds he made that my sister and I slept in for years!), he was always tinkering with something or another. Never met a cat or dog he didn´t love and was always the one playing with little kids instead of sitting at the adult table. He was smart, witty, and loved his trains. I remember going on many bike rides with him, Bonnie, and my parents. Thanks for all the Mcdonalds trips when I was little - "salt on the pepper, pepper on the salt!"
James Nicholas Roark (Nick) was born in Wichita on April 11th, 1945, to Jean and Miriam Roark. He passed away on August 6th, 2025.
Nick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bonnie Roark, his siblings Bobbie Jean Miller and Dale Roark, and his children Shaun Roark, Heather McKim, and Jill Roark. He will also be missed by his eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Terry.
Nick earned bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Wichita State University. He worked as a metallurgist and held the role of President at Arrow Laboratory, Inc.
Nick was active for many years in the choir and as a youth group leader at Woodland United Methodist Church. He avidly worked with his hands, building furniture, the family house and barn, model airplanes, and a garden railroad. He loved music and played the trumpet, guitar, and piano up until his last days. He also loved animals, riding bicycles, and spending time in nature.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 11th at 2 pm at Woodland United Methodist Church, 1100 W 15th St N, Wichita, KS 67203. Contributions in Nick's name can be made to the Andover Augusta Rail Trail Initiative, redbudtrail.org/donate-today.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Our Leave it to Beaver neighborhood was anchored by Miriam and Jean and my parents. Nick(y), Bobbie Jean, Terry and Dale were co-conspirators with my brothers and I. What great fun day-time, night-time and firefly memories that lasted for many years. When we weren´t at one another´s houses, in in our combined yard...chances are good that we were at Woodland church.
RIP, my long-ago buddy! Phil Bogner
Share
Jessica Cochran
August 10, 2025
Uncle Nick was a quiet spirit with a lovely soul. Always the handyman (I still vividly remember the set of bunkbeds he made that my sister and I slept in for years!), he was always tinkering with something or another. Never met a cat or dog he didn´t love and was always the one playing with little kids instead of sitting at the adult table. He was smart, witty, and loved his trains. I remember going on many bike rides with him, Bonnie, and my parents. Thanks for all the Mcdonalds trips when I was little - "salt on the pepper, pepper on the salt!"
