Obituary: Roark, Terrence L. “Mick”
Age 68
The little brother to Richard and Gary Roark; Mick learned to love the mountains, streams and great outdoors.
His brothers made sure he grew up strong and tough!
A Twisp High School Yellow Jacket, he excelled at sports and graduated with a class of barely 25 kids - a true small town guy with big dreams.
His upbringing served him well as he entered the US Army in 1964, where his intelligence and physicality landed him at Fort Benning for Airborne training to become a Green Beret.
He transitioned under the 101st Airborne to the 3rd Herd landing a slot in Nha Trang, Vietnam, to further train and enter into the elite Special Forces Recon LRRP ranks (precursors to today’s Rangers).
He immediately used his training, para dropping and fast roping into and behind enemy territory.
These missions saw heavy combat and galvanized Mick, changing him from a boy to a man.
He went on to serve briefly in Germany where he left active duty in 1967.
Mick was a decorated combat soldier and forever a Vietnam Veteran.
Mick’s transition to civilian life began with the Columbia School of Broadcasting in San Francisco.
He was in radio broadcasting for ten years.
Surely there are ladies in Spokane who remember his smooth baritone voice and witty repertoire as “Terry Michaels”.
Mick tried family life, but it just didn’t take.
So he drifted for a time, holding odd jobs where he was able to snow ski in winter and water ski on Chelan summers - artistry in motion.
Finally ready to settle into a more routine life, Mick began a 20-year career with the US Postal Service.
He settled into his own home with his beloved wolf dogs who were his constant companions.
No man loved his dogs more.
In retirement, Mick was grateful to mend fences from his younger days.
In the end, Micks brothers now with their wives, Fern and Joann, helped Mick transition to the next life to be with our Lord, his parents and his son, Brian Riggs-Roark.
He is survived by grandsons: Bryan Chavez and Jonathan Riggs-Roark; three great-granddaughters and nephews: Steve, Dan and Burt; and of course his VFW #51 family.
May your best friend Joe always be by your side and a twinkle in your eye, we’ll see you when!