Widely known as Trent, but sometimes known as Papa, Pops, Big T, or Buzzy, Thomas Trenton Roark, Sr. went home to be with Jesus on April 8, 2022. While that is a commonly used expression, it was reality for him, as he had placed his faith in Jesus, giving testimony in baptism, and claiming the promise of John 3:16, "For God so loved he world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." Trent was born in Jackson, Michigan on February 12, 1953, to Orville Lee and Marian Griggs Roark. Sharing a birthdate with Abraham Lincoln sparked a lifelong interest in all things Lincoln, the Civil War, politics, and history. Although he moved away from Jackson as a toddler, he visited family there throughout his life and considered himself fortunate to unexpectedly return there as the last stop of a long career in ophthalmology and healthcare administration. On June 29, 1973, he and Carrol stood before God and a multitude of family and friends and promised to hang out together and take care of each other until parted by death, so that's what they did. Along the way, they lived in Michigan, Florida, and Illinois. Their journey was blessed by daughter Shannon (Christopher) Keith and son Trent (Crystal) Roark and grandchildren Trevor Roark, Mallory Keith, Mason Keith, and Travis Roark. Trent's last few years in Jackson, Michigan were a delight to him. He and Carrol lived happily on Durand Street in a house built in 1954 by Trent's Uncle Ernie and Aunt Barbara Roark. Trent and Carrol were members of Bethel Church, which had started decades earlier with a small gathering of people who met at the house on Durand, with several Roarks being founding members. In October of 2019, unexpected heart surgery during a visit to Illinois, and subsequent discovery of lung cancer, resulted in Trent's retirement and permanent return to Illinois. In Illinois, he was a member of New Song Community Church. Trent was a graduate of the University of South Florida and Florida Institute of Technology. He had a long history of being active in church and public service. He also loved to golf, enjoyed travel, liked to eat his meals on time, was a loyal University of Michigan fan, preferred the Cubs over the White Sox, told dad jokes, listened to southern gospel music, never quite understood everything about his iPhone, and was known for explaining life in quips his family referred to as Buzzyisms. Trent dressed up as Santa for the grandkids each Christmas. During the early years, this resulted in shrieks of terror. During the later years, the grandkids worked hard at not letting on they knew it was Pops. He always complained about the Santa suit being hot and picky, earning himself another nickname - Grumpy Santa. Oh, and he did run the New York Marathon once and had quite a story to tell. There is that… Despite his physical decline and health struggles over the last several months, he was thankful every day and never lost his sense of humor. He appreciated so much all those who prayed for him and regularly checked up on him. He often spoke of his sense of God's presence in his illness and his desire to trust God no matter the outcome. In heaven, he has joined his parents and his only sibling, Gregory Lee Roark. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and his dear Aunt Gladys Myers of Jackson, Michigan, as well as many cousins, extended family, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends who were as close as brothers. Although his physical body will now rest at Risen Lord Cemetery in Oswego, Illinois, we are comforted that "Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 and the words of Jesus in John 11:25-26, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." Private family arrangements being made. For additional information 630/554-3888 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com