Wayne G. Roark received his heavenly wings on the evening of Dec. 15, 2022, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. Wayne was born February 13, 1933, in Kuna, ID.
Wayne graduated from Nampa High School and received a bachelor’s degree in business from the College of Idaho. He was called to serve in the United States Army for two years following his sophomore year. Following his military service, he returned to the College of Idaho to complete his studies. While attending the College of Idaho he met his classmate and loving bride Earlyne Owen from Middleton, ID. Wayne and Earlyne were married on September 9, 1956, in Caldwell, ID. After college, Wayne went to work for Idaho Power Company in the accounting and internal audit departments in Boise, ID. Wayne retired from Idaho Power after a successful career of approximately 35 years.
Wayne and Earlyne had two children together–Robert (Bob) and Rebecca (Becky). The family enjoyed spending time together doing a variety of activities, including snow and water skiing, boating, and sailing, mostly in McCall at their family property on Payette Lake. Wayne also served as a volunteer ski patrolman at Bogus Basin for many years. Wayne was a speed and sports enthusiast with a particular passion for dirt bikes, sports cars, and snowmobiles. “Live life at full throttle” was his mantra in almost all his endeavors!
Wayne tragically lost his wife Earlyne to breast cancer in 1990. We thought he would never recover from this loss. However, ten years later he met Shirleen Smith. She was a blessing to Wayne and to our family.
Wayne and Shirleen were married on October 20, 2001. They cherished their time together traveling and being with friends. They loved spending time at the home they built in Baja, Mexico and later at their winter home in Yuma, AZ. Shirleen and Wayne enjoyed dancing and had the best country western dance moves ever!
Wayne is survived by his wife Shirleen, his son Bob Roark (grandson Taylor Roark, granddaughter, Amanda (Roark) Holden, and her husband Nick Holden), and his daughter Becky Rowan (her husband Paul Rowan, grandson Dr. Brian Rowan and wife Kathy Rowan and great grandchildren, Margaux and Bennett Rowan, granddaughter Andrea (Rowan) Braddock and husband Zach Braddock and great granddaughter, Ella Braddock). He is also survived by Shirleen’s children (and his stepchildren) Natalie Durham and Billy Smith, and is preceded in death by Shirleen’s son Nat Smith.
Wayne was preceded in death by his first wife Earlyne Roark and his older sister Lavon Korn. Wayne’s younger sister Marjorie Weeks lives in Nampa. Wayne adored his two sisters.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. and will be officiated by Pastor Mark Traylor, who also married Wayne and Shirleen. The services will be at Bowman Funeral Home (10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr. Garden City, ID; Telephone: 208.835.3131). A private family graveside service will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery.
“But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Idaho Food Bank.