John Thomas Roark, age 86, of Whitestown, IN, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024, surrounded by family at Witham Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, IN. He was born in Scottsville, Kentucky, on January 25, 1938, the son of the late William Floyd Roark and Margie D. (Reynolds) Roark. On June 23, 1958, John married Sandra Jean (Garrison) Roark of Montpelier, IN; she survives. At the age of 4, his family moved to Indianapolis, IN, from Scottsville, KY; when John was 16, they settled in Zionsville, IN. He attended St. Frances de Sales Catholic School in Indianapolis, IN and Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, IN.

John was a proud Union Member of the U.A. Local 440 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVACR Service Technicians for 60 years. He worked as a Journeyman at several locations, including Cook Brothers, Beaman Inc., J.A. House, and Downton & West. He mentored many apprentices in furthering their careers.

John enjoyed reading and learning, having a personal library of more than 2,400 books on every topic imaginable, including physics, automobile repair, trees, gardening and plant materials, human anatomy, firearms, PC repair, foreign languages, poetry, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and many others almost too numerous to mention. He once acquired a book written in Russian, so he purchased another book and learned to read Russian. John also had an extreme passion for trees, planting several hundred on the 4-acre property where he and his wife raised their five children. Other hobbies included horseback riding, gardening, firearms, and repairing anything mechanical. He could build or fix anything.

John was a devoted husband and cherished father who embraced every moment spent with his family.

John is survived by his wife, Sandra J. "Jeany" Roark; children, John A. "Tony" (Pam) Roark of Lebanon, IN, Julie Lynn Minor of Carmel, IN, Jennifer Lee (Richard) Smith of Lebanon, IN, James Thomas (Barbara) Roark of Noblesville, IN, and Jonathan Tyler (Christy) Roark of Waveland, IN; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and his brother, William Henry Roark of Ohio.

John was preceded in death by his parents, William and Margie Roark; brother, Floyd Daniel Roark; and a granddaughter, Cassie Keeler.

Myers Mortuary and Boone County Crematory have been entrusted with his cremation arrangements.

Private services will be held at a later date at Oddfellows Cemetery in Montpelier.

Arrangements are being handled by Walker & Glancy Funeral Home in Montpelier, IN.

Memorials may be directed in his memory to Witham Rehabilitation Services at Lebanon, 2705 North Lebanon Street, North Pavilion, Suite 105, Lebanon, IN 46052.