Douglas Roark

All Montana smiled November 30, 1938, when Douglas Beryl Roark arrived at Missoula General Hospital. Born into the pioneering Morris family on the Blackfoot River, Doug grew up the apple of Grandma Ollie’s eye on the family ranches at Union Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and the mouth of Elk Creek. Then, Montana was a wide open game when a boy’s best friends were his dog, saddle horse, fishing pole, and a .22. Doug's mother, Nellie, was often told “One of these days you’re going to lose that kid,” because childhood adventures took him many miles along Montana rivers.
Doug started school at Potomac continuing in Missoula at Roosevelt Elementary. His was the last class to graduate out of the Missoula County High School in 1957. Doug was forever grateful to George McRae for getting him through Math and Verla Wills for her help with Chemistry.
“Seeing the light”, Doug headed to Montana State College in Bozeman where he majored in Animal Husbandry surviving Dr. Dynes’ Meats class, and a Geology class where the final exam was to describe the difference between two rocks. Many classmates gave up on that test, but Doug stayed, took the measure of those rocks, and earned an excellent grade. This approach was a hallmark of his life.
In the fall at MSC, Doug attended Saturday morning lectures with his cocker spaniel, Pyauck, and a .410 so he “could get a jump” on bird hunting when class was over. He lived at Ma Boylan’s boarding house with Sidney Wills and routinely provided game for the table. Drag racing his 1934 Ford coupe on College when it was still a gravel road was after-hours entertainment.
Having completed the ROTC program at MSC, the U.S. Army gave Doug an extraordinary present in the draft two days after graduation. He served honorably for 4 years stationed in Germany, a country he grew to greatly admire. Doug served as an Artillery Surveyor and received the Good Conduct Medal, Marksman (MG M-60) and Expert (Rifle M-14) commendations. He returned home to work with his father, Beryl, at Ace Auto Salvage. This would become Doug’s life for the next 54 years. But, make no mistake, Nine Mile Prairie or “the prairie” as he called it was the beat of his heart.
In 1959 he met Joann Wark and they married in 1962. To this marriage, a daughter, Peggy was born. In 1987 he met Gloria Bernardini. They married in 1989 and he gained another daughter (Tracie) and a son (John).
Doug was legendary for his ability to out walk, out hike, out fish, and out hunt everyone. He walked us all into the dirt. It was not the competition he sought. It was his incredible zest for life that made him eager to look at every trip outdoors as a great adventure. “Let’s just keep going a little further and see what’s up ahead.”
Being a lover of all things timeworn, solidly built, and original, it brought him immense satisfaction seeing the first wallop of the wrecking ball bounce off the old Paxson School when they brought that brick building down.
There were two things Doug loved more than anything in life, a good story and people. It brought him great joy to tell an excellent story and an equal amount of happiness to hear one. His laugh was infectious and contagious. Bright blue eyes and a winning smile made it impossible not to listen.
Doug loved people. He always believed the best about a person. Doug was a dyed in the wool Montanan and represented every good thing Montanans hold dear. Through the doors of Ace Auto Salvage and later Doug’s Place, friends gathered, many boys grew to become men, families were helped, and stray souls and animals were given food, shelter, and comfort. He treated everyone with respect and kindness. While many talk about helping people, Doug walked the walk.
Doug struggled with Myelodysplastic Syndrome for 10 years. While it chipped away at his body, his spirit remained undaunted. In the end, an accident claimed his life and he died the following day, March 23rd. It was a much more fitting conclusion than the ultimate ravages of the disease. He was working on a car, struck his head, and walked into the arms of friends - Jim Fleischhauer, George Proctor, and Mike Gould. For this we are grateful.
Doug was one of the founding members of the Montana Automobile Dismantlers and Recyclers Association (MADRA) and served as an officer for many years. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and was passionate about guns and gun ownership. Doug was also a member of the American Legion, Chief Joseph Unit 135.
A special thank you to Dr. Carter Beck, Dr. Chris Jons, and Dr. Ryan Nahapetian and nurses, Chris and Eric at St. Patrick’s Hospital for the loving care Doug and his family received.
Doug was preceded in death by his grandparents Lillard and Sadie (Joines) Roark and Benjamin and Ollie (Baird) Morris; uncles Fred and Ben Morris, and aunt Patricia (Morris) Wilson; and his parents Beryl Easton Roark and Nellie (Morris) Roark. He is survived by his wife Gloria Roark - Missoula, and children Peggy (Erik) Nelsen - Missoula, Tracie (Brent) Roeder – Fort Shaw, and John (Katie) Kozlowski – Boise. Also surviving are six grandchildren Benjamin and Caroline Roeder; Zoe, India, Ella Kozlowski and Riley Murray. A sister Laurice (Roark) Fritz, and nieces Susan (Jeff) Harlow and Corie Fritz, along with great nephews Nick and Chris Harlow all of Missoula survive as well.
Doug’s family asks you join them in a celebration of his life. Viewing (4:00-6:30 pm), Rosary and Vigil (6:30 pm) will be Thursday, April 12th at Garden City Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s (10:30 am), Friday, April 13th, reception immediately following. Burial (2:00 pm) will be at the Western Montana Veterans’ Cemetery. Please bring your best “Doug” story and should you wish his favorite dessert, a pie, to share. Memorials in Doug’s name may be made to: AniMeals, Montana State University – Department of Animal and Range Sciences, St. Patrick’s Foundation, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, or American Legion, Chief Joseph Unit 135, Lolo. Condolences can be left at www.gardencityfh.com