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Griffin Clay Roark
October 6, 1981 ~ January 18, 2016
ARLINGTON -- Griffin Clay Roark, 34, died peacefully in his sleep Monday, Jan. 18, 2016.
Service: Everyone who knew Griffin is encouraged to celebrate his life at his funeral at noon Friday at Pantego Bible Church, 8001 Anderson Blvd., Fort Worth. There will be a viewing for grieving family and very close friends 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County in Griffin's name, mealsonwheels.org.
Griffin was born in Arlington on Oct. 6, 1981, to his doting parents, Clay and Kathi. He attended Duff Elementary, Bailey Junior High and Arlington High School where he befriended many and was known by all. After high school Griffin earned a BA in business in addition to an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. He went on to work for Poly-America, Alcon and his current employer, Smith & Nephew, as a procurement specialist. But Griffin was much more than the sum of his personal achievements. He was a true force of personality. To know him on any level was total immersion and commitment to participate in his life.
Griffin also had no limit of people who would call themselves his friends. He was well liked by all for his amazing sense of humor, his outspokenness and his truly loving heart. Although most never knew it, he participated in Meals on Wheels and frequently could be found delivering meals during his lunch break. He was a loving and devoted uncle, adored by his niece and nephew. Griffin was good at so many things. It seemed that he could pick up and learn a new skill in minutes. Among his most favorite things to do were golf, practicing at the firing range (or anything gun-related), hunting, being outdoors, business, economics and meteorology, and he was also a very skilled artist. Griffin's flame burned twice as bright than most, but unfortunately only half as long.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Gordon Lee Roark.
Survivors: His proud and loving parents, Clay and Kathi Roark; his best friend and sister, Courtney Roark Bookout and her husband, Chris Bookout, and their children, Amelia and Jack; his fiancee and the love of his life, Liliana Salinas; his paternal grandmother, Clairice Roark; his maternal grandparents, Andrew and Shirley Baxter; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and cherished friends. Griffin was loved by everyone he met and will be sorely missed by all whom he touched.
Wade Family Funeral Home
Arlington, 817-274-9233
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I would like to send my condolences for your great loss. I worked with Griffin at Alcon and he was always kind and happy.
May God grant your family peace during this difficult time.
Roark Family, no words can express the grief you are feeling and few words can soothe your broken hearts. It is difficult to believe, in times like this, that all things work for good for those that love God, but we believe it unconditionally. We think Griffin was called away from us for a reason, as yet unapparent, but may be revealed later. Please know that we are thinking of you all constantly and are praying for healing and understanding. Where Griffin is now, in the presence of God and Jesus Christ, there is no need.
There are no words that will make your aching hearts feel better, so I offer my prayerful support at this very devastating time. May the Lord pour out perfect peace on you all.
Griffin was such a kind, positive spirit around the work place, who will dearly be missed. He was diligent, full of good ideas, hard-working, helpful, and fun! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this devasting, sad time.
Griffin was one of a kind and he will be remembered. I think that would mean a lot to him. My condolences to other friends, and his family. I hope memories of Griffin bring you a smile.
It saddens me to hear the passing of such a wonderful young man. Griffin was loved by everyone who had the chance to meet him! So sad to have him here on earth for such a short time. I have great memories of being at the Roark house growing up. Kathi and Clay, you both raised two amazing children! We need more people like you in this world! Court and Griffin were more like twins with the bond they shared 🙂 They share so much of the same qualities…their laugh, smile, charisma, vibrant personalities. I could go on and on. Lot of love, thoughts and prayers to all of the Roark’s and Family during this sad time. xoxo
We are so sorry to hear about Griffin. We have such fond memories of your family and home group time shared. Griffin was such a wonderful and happy man, always so good to be around. He truly brightened a room with his smile and laughter. Your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
We had the pleasure of meeting Griffin last year in Lake Tahoe through Liliana. He was one of the happiest, funniest, sweetest, most down to earth people you could ever meet. He had us laughing and having fun throughout the entire trip, there was never a dull moment with him around. I still remember the jokes he would tell, especially the one about Liliana’s ability to drink so much water! I still use that joke from time to time. He definitely left an impression on those he met. Each week when Liliana and I would talk over the phone, he would always make it a point to say hello and ask how Jerry and I were doing. Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to all of his loved ones.
Kathi and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time!
I had the pleasure to not only work with Griffin (at Alcon and then on a few consulting gigs), but to consider him a friend. Every time I was with him or spoke to him, he made me laugh. He was smart, witty and kind. He was a truly special person and I am so glad to have known him, yet so sad that he is no longer with us.
Please know that I mourn with you, and that you have my deepest sympathies on the loss of such a wonderful son, brother, uncle, fiancee and friend.
– Elizabeth
“What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch. We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.” –Author Unknown. May God wrap his loving arms around you all during this difficult time. Shelley and Mac Bernd
Clay and Kathi and Courtney,
We are so sorry for your devastating loss. No words can express it. You are in our prayers.
Bob, Jill, Allison, and Shauna
Kathi and Clay
We want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! There are no words to express how saddened we were to learn of Griffin’s passing! May God bless you with comfort and peace!
Gordon & Connie Cannoles
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. We are so sorry to hear of your loss.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of your son, no one can prepare you for a loss,may our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief.
Words cannot express the sadness we feel when considering the loss of such a young man from such a wonderful family. May the Lord watch over you and bring you comfort and peace.
Sincerely,
Kayla Montgomery
May god bless…
My Condolences to the Roark Family. Death is one of the hardest things to deal with but the Bible gives us a wonderful hope for our dead loved ones. It says at John 5:28,29…”for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” This will be a wonderful time because we will see our dead loved ones again when they are resurrected them back to life. Continue to beg God for endurance until that time comes.