Don M. Roark, Sr.

On Sunday, November 18, 2018, surrounded by family and friends after a long and hard-fought battle with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, the gates of heaven were opened for Don M. Roark, Sr. of Bossier City, LA. All who knew Don knew the great love he had for Jesus and the joy he took in sharing his faith to all that he met. We all take comfort in knowing he has indeed seen the One he loved above all, face to face. What a tremendous homecoming celebration he has received. Don was a humble man with a true servant's heart who measured his wealth not in material possessions but by the love of his family and friends. His favorite times were those when both surrounded him. He always had a smile on his face, a warm welcoming laugh and called you brother whether he had known you for five minutes or fifty years. Don was born on October 22, 1945. After high school Don served his country in the Vietnam War as a medic with the 82^nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. He was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Parachute Badge for his valiant service to our country. Upon return, his entrepreneur spirit led him to owning and operating several local businesses. He had a successful insurance business until his love for motorcycles led him to open Ark-La-Tex Cycle in 1986 and later Shreveport Motorsports, which he owned and operated until 2013. Upon his retirement Don's love for people and the outdoors, along with a desire to travel and see the country led him and Doris on a new journey in their motorhome, meeting friends and sharing their love for the Lord with everyone they met along the way. There is no measure for the lives Don touched or the impact he had. Wherever God chose to lead him, he followed. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Nan and Stuart Roark. He is survived by his greatest earthly treasure, his loving and faithful wife of 43 years, Doris, along with his three daughters, Christina Erckelboudt and husband Frank, Victoria Pardo and husband Francois, Teresa Roberson and husband Beau Roberson and his son, Don Mason Roark, Jr. and wife Janna Roark. He is survived by ten grandchildren, Jordane Erckelboudt, Oceane Erckelboudt, Bryan Pardo, Michael Pardo, Melissa Pardo, John Roberson, Sarah Roberson, Mason Roark, Peyton Roark, Georgia Roark; one great grandchild, Emma Erckelboudt; one brother, Luke Roark and wife Vickie; one sister, Cherry Robinson; and several nieces and nephews. Doris and her family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to their church family at Open Range Fellowship, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center and staff; Dr. Philip Haddad, Dr. Sally Ball, Home Instead Senior Care, St. Joseph Hospice and dearest friends Tag and Joe Young for their compassionate and steadfast care. Funeral services celebrating the life of Don Roark will be held with visitation starting Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. at Open Range Fellowship Church in Greenwood, LA. Officiating will be friend and pastor, Dennis W. Aaron. Honoring Don as pallbearers will be The Patriot Guard Riders. Burial will be at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, Louisiana on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Patriot Guard Riders, 189 CR 3525, Joaquin, TX 75954 or to Open Range Fellowship Church, Greenwood, Louisiana.