Longtime Forks resident, Lee Roark, passed away at home on October 31, 2018, after several years of declining health. He was 87.

Born in Buckley, Lee was the youngest of four siblings in a logging family that moved to Forks in the 1940’s. As a teen, he loved hiking and fishing along the Bogachiel and, except for a handful of years, he never lived anywhere that wasn’t within sight of a river.

He graduated from Forks High School in 1950 and, days later, joined the Navy where he served four years during the Korean War. He returned to Forks and married Raema Johnston in 1956. They bought a small farm along the Sol Duc, where he raised overfed cattle and a vegetable garden much too large for their family of three.

He stacked firewood with surgical precision. His woodpile stretched the length of his fence line fronting Highway 101 and, together with Raema, he kept the lawn mowed within an inch of its life.

For the first half of his working life, Lee managed the produce department at Pay & Save Foods. In 1972, he went to work for the Clallam County road Department where he ran a road grader until he retired in 1996.

In retirement, he traded crushed rock for cut rock, and he converted his barn into a six-saw rock shop he used to build stunning stone patios, gate pillars, and planters at his Sol Duc farm. He was surprised to discover so late in life that he had an

artistic streak.

With his health failing, he and Raema moved to Sequim in 2013, where she still resides. She’s grateful for the help she received from Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County and Rainshadow Home Services in making sure Lee could live out his days in comfort and dignity.

Lee is survived by Raema; his daughter, Lesa (Mark) Huelsdonk; grandson, Andrew Huelsdonk; brother-in-law, Chuck Archer; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Roark and Ruth Clayton Roark Wisner; brothers and sisters-in-law, Glen (Irene) and Les (Lola) Roark; and sister, Vera Archer. Lee did not want a memorial service and, instead, suggested using that time to just enjoy a hike up the Bogachiel or Sol Duc.

Memorial contributions may be made to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, 540 E. 8th St., Port Angeles, WA 98362.