Roy A. Ruark, 84

FISHING CREEK - Roy A. Ruark, age 84, of Fishing Creek, died with his family by his side on Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, 2009, at Chesapeake Woods Center, Cambridge, where he had been a resided for the past several months. Born on Oct. 18, 1924, at Hooper's Island, he was the son of the late Charles Wallace Ruark and Mildred Lewis Ruark. Mr. Ruark graduated from Hoopers Island High School, Class of 1943. The next day after graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II from June 21, 1943, to Jan. 29, 1946, in Normandy and Northern France as a field linesman. He told his family that one day he would be pictured in a war documentary, for he recalled the day walking up a hill on Omaha Beach a week after D day invasion, where a reporter took a picture of him. He is pictured in the 2007 publication of The War An Intimate History 1941-1945, by Geoffrey C. Ward. Upon his honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon. Needless to say, he was proud of his military service and proud to be an American. On Feb. 28, 1948, he married the former Marguerite "Margie" Parks. Mr. Ruark was a member of the Countryside Christian Church, Cambridge. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #91, and life member of the Hoopers Island Vol. Fire Department. Mr. Ruark was a self employed waterman aboard his boat Scott R. and had worked at Keene's Point Gunning Club and Wroten Island Gunning Club as a caretaker and hunting guide. He was an avid outdoorsman, where he liked to hunt and fish. In his earlier years he obtained his FAA pilots license and played on the Honga Indians Softball Team. He was self taught in the art of oil painting and carving duck decoys. He also made model skipjacks. Mr. Ruark also liked to cook and loved spending time with his loving family and friends. Surviving, besides his wife of 63 years, Margie Ruark of Fishing Creek, are two sons, Gary Roy Ruark also of Fishing Creek, and Glenn P. Ruark and his wife Connie of Cambridge; a sister, Iris Johnstone and her husband Art of Salisbury; four grandchildren, Gary Scott Ruark and his wife Tracy, Wendy Dawn Usilton and her husband Vernon, Aaron Glenn Ruark and his wife Emily and Adam Glenn Ruark; one great-grandchild, Kobi Barrett Ruark; and nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents was a sister, Helen Parker Spath. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9, at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A., 308 High St., Cambridge. Funeral services will be noon, Monday, Aug. 10, at Countryside Christian Church, Austin Rd., Cambridge, where the family will also receive friends one hour prior to the service. Officiating at the service will be Evangelist Phil Sutton. Burial will follow at the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors. Pallbearers will be Ronald "Junior" McGlaughlin, Randy McGlaughlin, Eddie Dean, Tolley Yates, Mark Hurley and Timmy Cannon. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made in Mr. Ruark's memory to Countryside Christian Church, 5333 Austin Rd., Cambridge, MD 21613 or to the Hoopers Island Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 125, Fishing Creek, MD 21634. To send letters of condolences, please visit www.curran-bromwell.com.