Dr. Julia Roark was born on January 4, 1962 in Springfield, Missouri to Gene and Linda Bench. She grew up in Springfield, Missouri, and at an early age, Julia professed her faith in Jesus Christ, and this faith became a guiding force in her life. After graduating from high school, Julia studied education, gaining her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri. She married her cherished husband, Greg Roark, on June 2, 1986. After moving to Colorado, Julia’s passion for education continued, and in 1988, she obtained a doctorate in education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO.
Julia’s daughter, Alexandra, was born on August 22, 1988. The family lived on the Front Range of Colorado for 14 years in a variety of locations while she worked as a teacher and administrator in the public schools. They welcomed their son, Austin, on January 27, 1994. The family then moved to Texas for one year, and because Texas wasn’t the fit they were hoping for, at their first opportunity, they headed to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they lived for 11 years. During that time, Julia worked as a principal and instructional coach. Due to her constant need to challenge herself, the family relocated to Aspen, CO, in 2010, where she served as Assistant Superintendent for the Aspen School District for five years. Her drive to challenge herself was never ending, and before too long, “Assistant” wasn’t sufficient for her, so Julia moved to Colorado Springs to work as a Zone Superintendent for the Falcon School District for two years.
Julia is survived by her husband, Greg Roark, her two children, Alexandra and Austin, her mother, Linda Bench, her brother, Chris Bench, her sister, Jill Dill, and several nieces and nephews. Greg and Julia have two additional children whom they love unconditionally, Sebastian, their 11-year-old Golden Retriever, and Max, their 7-month-old Golden Retriever.
Colorado Springs Service
The service to celebrate Julia’s life will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Julie’s name to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo giraffe conservation efforts. Checks can be mailed directly to the zoo at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. If paying by credit card, call the zoo directly at 719-633-9925 and provide them with Julia’s name and indicate that the donation is for their giraffe conservation program.
Aspen Service
To honor and celebrate Julia’s life, a service will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at the Aspen School District theater. In lieu of flowers, the family would like a donation to be made to Aspen Education Foundation due to Julia’s love and devotion to the staff and students of the Aspen School District.