Kenneth Edward Roark

November 3, 2017 Mr. Kenneth Edward Roark, 57, of Union, SC, passed away on November 2, 2017 at Union Medical Center. Kenneth was born on November 14, 1959 in Union, SC. He was the son of Miriam Wilson Roark and the late Leonard Roark Jr. Kenneth spent the early years of his life delivering newspapers for Palmetto Drug Store and his teenage years working full time at Bi-Lo. Following this he worked at Milliken Research Facility, but soon after he joined the US Army. He served from 1981-1985 as an Army personnel specialist; he was stationed in Germany. While in the Army he earned a Mid-Management degree from the College of Chicago. After returning home, Kenneth worked as the shipping coordinator at Carlisle Finishing and remained there for thirty-one years. In 1987, he married Sara Ann Sanders. In life Kenneth was an avid fisherman and NASCAR fan. In addition, Kenneth received a Master Gardening certificate from Clemson Extension in Union, SC. Following this, he worked part time at Rose Hill Gardens as the rose gardener. He kept a personnel garden in South Hills behind his mother's house. Kenneth was a member of West Side Baptist Church and attended Tabernacle Baptist Church. In addition to his wife and mother, Kenneth leaves behind a son, David Roark, and a daughter-in-law, Kalyn Roark of Spartanburg; a daughter, Kasie Roark of Union; a goddaughter, Amanda Hendrix, of Union; two sisters, Elaine Roark Thomas, of Charlotte and Emily Paluszak, of Greenville; and one brother, Steven Roark of Lockhart. Kenneth also had one late brother, Ricky Roark. Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Tabernacle Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Dr. Tommy Vaughn. Active pallbearers will be Layton Roark, Randal Roark, Hunter Blackwell, Cole Rector, Jeff Wilson, and Drew Gragg. Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Saturday evening at the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, 915 S. Pinckney St., Union, SC 29379 or to a charity of one's choice. The family will be at the home of his mother at 304 Belvue Dr, Union, SC.