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04-20-2012, 06:15 AM
It is with a heavy heart that I have to report to you that Coach Kenny Roark passed away on 4/19/12 at approximately 10PM after a long battle with illness and Kidney failure.
As you know Coach Roark played at Middlesboro in the 1970's, graduating in 1975. Roark was part of the Peach Bowl Champions Kentucky Wildcats in 1976, and named AP ALL-SEC team member in 1980.
Coach Roark was part of the training camp teams of the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins, but injuries kept him from making the teams. After the NFL, Coach Roark started his coaching career at Union College and Tennessee Wesleyan before coming home to be an assistant in 1989 under then Coach Gary Barnett.
In 1992 Roark was named head coach of the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets football team, and eventually winning the 1998 KHSAA Class A state football championship over the Mayfield Cardinals. Coach Roark is one of the select few who are part of the Middlesboro sports hall of fame two times. Once as a player, and once as a coach as part of the state championship team.
During Coach Roark's time as Head Coach of the Yellow Jackets, Middlesboro won numerous district and regional championships, and for 17 years in a row had a winning record. Unfortunately in 2010 that streak was broken, and he was relieved from his coaching/athletic director duties shortly after the season ended.
While Coach Roark had some off the field issues, he was looking forward to getting a fresh start last season, taking over the Clay County Tigers football team. Roark faced a difficult rebuilding year during last season, and was looking forward to working with the young Tigers to help them get stronger and better when he fell ill at his home in Middlesboro. Health issues finally forced him to resign from the Clay County position on April 1st of this year. His coaching career ends with a record of 154 wins and 72 losses, including as mentioned previously the 1998 Class A state Championship.
Coach Kenny Roark is survived by his Mother, Edith Roark, Son, Chase Roark, Sister Valarie Roark and numerous adopted sons who played for him during his coaching carrer.
Rest in peace Coach Roark, you will be missed.
As you know Coach Roark played at Middlesboro in the 1970's, graduating in 1975. Roark was part of the Peach Bowl Champions Kentucky Wildcats in 1976, and named AP ALL-SEC team member in 1980.
Coach Roark was part of the training camp teams of the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins, but injuries kept him from making the teams. After the NFL, Coach Roark started his coaching career at Union College and Tennessee Wesleyan before coming home to be an assistant in 1989 under then Coach Gary Barnett.
In 1992 Roark was named head coach of the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets football team, and eventually winning the 1998 KHSAA Class A state football championship over the Mayfield Cardinals. Coach Roark is one of the select few who are part of the Middlesboro sports hall of fame two times. Once as a player, and once as a coach as part of the state championship team.
During Coach Roark's time as Head Coach of the Yellow Jackets, Middlesboro won numerous district and regional championships, and for 17 years in a row had a winning record. Unfortunately in 2010 that streak was broken, and he was relieved from his coaching/athletic director duties shortly after the season ended.
While Coach Roark had some off the field issues, he was looking forward to getting a fresh start last season, taking over the Clay County Tigers football team. Roark faced a difficult rebuilding year during last season, and was looking forward to working with the young Tigers to help them get stronger and better when he fell ill at his home in Middlesboro. Health issues finally forced him to resign from the Clay County position on April 1st of this year. His coaching career ends with a record of 154 wins and 72 losses, including as mentioned previously the 1998 Class A state Championship.
Coach Kenny Roark is survived by his Mother, Edith Roark, Son, Chase Roark, Sister Valarie Roark and numerous adopted sons who played for him during his coaching carrer.
Rest in peace Coach Roark, you will be missed.
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04-20-2012, 06:22 AM
At this time, the arrangements are not known. When I have them I will post them.
04-20-2012, 07:24 AM
Bless his family in their time of need.
04-20-2012, 07:51 AM
Prayers for the Family. R.I.P. Coach!!
04-20-2012, 08:02 AM
Thoughts and prayers go out to Coachs family and friends.
04-20-2012, 09:06 AM
Prayers for the Family.
04-20-2012, 11:19 AM
Thoughts and prayers go out to Coaches family and friends.
04-20-2012, 11:45 AM
Prayers from Letcher Co!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
[COLOR="Blue"]
My Priorities are:
1)God
2)Family
3)Cougar Athletics!
Everything else doesn't matter![/COLOR]
[COLOR="Blue"]
My Priorities are:
1)God
2)Family
3)Cougar Athletics!
Everything else doesn't matter![/COLOR]
04-20-2012, 11:52 AM
Coach Roark represented mountian football well for a long time and put notice to the players from this region. I remember those sunny fall afternoons listening to him playing for UK on the radio and then following his coaching career at Middlesboro.I remember the players he sent to the next level and the state championship he won. Even though I was not a yellowjacket fan, I always liked coach Roark for what he done to help promote mountian football.
RIP Coach
RIP Coach
04-20-2012, 01:33 PM
Great coach and more importantly, a great man. RIP. Prayers go out to the Clay County and Middlesboro communities.
04-20-2012, 01:39 PM
RIP Coach. Prayers to the family from P'burg.
04-20-2012, 01:58 PM
We sure have lost one of the best. We will miss you coach.
04-20-2012, 07:51 PM
Rest in Peace Coach Roark-Praying for the family.
04-22-2012, 09:42 AM
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Charles Kenneth âKennyâ Roark, Jr., 54 of Middlesboro, passed away Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, KY. He was born February 17, 1958 in Middlesboro, KY, the son of the late Charles Kenneth âJakeâ Roark, Sr. and Edith Earle Roark who survives.
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Upon his graduation from Middlesboro High School, Kenny accepted a football scholarship to the University of Kentucky. He was named best offensive lineman in 1979 and 1980. In 1980 he served as co-captain and most valuable player and was named most valuable player by the Birmingham Touchdown Club. Kenny was an honorable mention All American, First Team all Southeastern Conference, and participated the Blue-Gray All Star Football Classic.
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He was also a member of the 1976 Peach Bowl Championship Team. In 1981 he signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns and in 1982 as a free agent with the Washington Redskins.
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Kennyâs football career, led him to a coaching career that spanned over 27 years, amassing a 154-72 record as a high school head coach. The highlight of this came in 1998 when he lead the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets to the Class A Championship. Kenny loved all of his players and was proud to have coached each and every one of them. He was especially proud to have been able to coach his own son Chase. Kenny was currently serving as head football coach for the Clay County Tigers.
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He is survived by the following members of his family: Children: Ashley Roark and Chase Roark, Mother: Edith Roark, Sisters: Kelly Roark Helton, Margaret âBethâ Roark and Valerie Roark, Wife: Teresa Roark, Brother-in-law: Clifford Helton. Best Friend: Gary Barnett, Nieces and Nephews: Laurel Helton, Kenny Leach, Kendall, Kelly, and Johnny Roberts. And a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
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Visitation for Kenny will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at the Creech Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private
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Pallbearers will be Petie Gilbert, Steve Trosper, Davie Earl, David Mike, Mike Earl and Floyd Branham. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Wilson, Tom âChalkâ Stapleton, Larry Tom Davis, Wayne Norfleet, Larry Carter and Clifford Helton.
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Online condolences and guestbook are available at http://www.creechfh.com
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Creech Funeral Home, Middlesboro, is in charge of all arrangements.
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Charles Kenneth âKennyâ Roark, Jr., 54 of Middlesboro, passed away Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, KY. He was born February 17, 1958 in Middlesboro, KY, the son of the late Charles Kenneth âJakeâ Roark, Sr. and Edith Earle Roark who survives.
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Upon his graduation from Middlesboro High School, Kenny accepted a football scholarship to the University of Kentucky. He was named best offensive lineman in 1979 and 1980. In 1980 he served as co-captain and most valuable player and was named most valuable player by the Birmingham Touchdown Club. Kenny was an honorable mention All American, First Team all Southeastern Conference, and participated the Blue-Gray All Star Football Classic.
-
He was also a member of the 1976 Peach Bowl Championship Team. In 1981 he signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns and in 1982 as a free agent with the Washington Redskins.
-
Kennyâs football career, led him to a coaching career that spanned over 27 years, amassing a 154-72 record as a high school head coach. The highlight of this came in 1998 when he lead the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets to the Class A Championship. Kenny loved all of his players and was proud to have coached each and every one of them. He was especially proud to have been able to coach his own son Chase. Kenny was currently serving as head football coach for the Clay County Tigers.
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He is survived by the following members of his family: Children: Ashley Roark and Chase Roark, Mother: Edith Roark, Sisters: Kelly Roark Helton, Margaret âBethâ Roark and Valerie Roark, Wife: Teresa Roark, Brother-in-law: Clifford Helton. Best Friend: Gary Barnett, Nieces and Nephews: Laurel Helton, Kenny Leach, Kendall, Kelly, and Johnny Roberts. And a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
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Visitation for Kenny will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at the Creech Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private
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Pallbearers will be Petie Gilbert, Steve Trosper, Davie Earl, David Mike, Mike Earl and Floyd Branham. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Wilson, Tom âChalkâ Stapleton, Larry Tom Davis, Wayne Norfleet, Larry Carter and Clifford Helton.
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Online condolences and guestbook are available at http://www.creechfh.com
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Creech Funeral Home, Middlesboro, is in charge of all arrangements.
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