James Roark Obituary

James "Jim" Boyd Roark passed away at his residence in Denver on October 16th, 2025.

Jim was born in Pueblo, Colorado, to Boyd Emory Roark and Margaret Shaw on April 21, 1935. He attended Pueblo Catholic High School where he excelled in athletics. He was a dominating pitcher with an ERA around 2.15. In 1954, during his senior year, he was recruited by the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he attended one year of spring training in Vero Beach, Florida.

He graduated from Western State College in 1958 with a degree in Business. In 1960, he met Mary Kay "Muz" Sanders at La Tronica's Italian restaurant and bar in Pueblo, Colorado. They were crazy about each other, and after a brief courtship, they wed on July 1, 1961, in Lakewood, Colorado.

Jim worked as district manager of the Social Security office in Canon City, Colorado, retiring in 2000. He was known for his agreeable, down-to-earth, pleasant manner, keen sense of humor, and easygoing laugh. A man easy to get along with-especially over a martini. He was a good father who gave his children freedom to choose what would make them happy in life. Jim was a self-effacing, non-judgmental gentleman who went with the flow and respected those who treated others with kindness.

He loved golf, the Denver Broncos, and spending time with friends who shared similar interests. He especially loved playing golf at his home course, Shadow Hills County Club in Canon City, as well as, many golf vacations to his beloved Dos Rios Golf Club in Gunnison, Colorado. He was playing golf up until the age of 86 years old. Right now, we like to imagine he is teeing it up with his good golf buddies at Pebble Beach or Augusta.

Jim was preceded in death by his dear wife of 53 years Mary Kay; his daughter, Kelli; his son, Barry; and his brother William Emory Roark. He is survived by sons, Jeff (partner Michael), Michael (partner John), and Keith (spouse Debbie); and grandsons, Kaeden and Teague Roark; and his nephews Kevin and Brian Roark.

The family plans on having a celebration of life at a future date.