Kenneth Harold “Ken” Rooks Sr., 84, of Nahunta, passed away early Wednesday afternoon, May 6, 2026, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross.
Born in Fort Myers, FL December 1, 1941, he lived in Fort Myers prior to moving to Nahunta in 2006. He served in the US Army and would go on to work for the Florida Department of Transportation for 30+ years retiring as a supervisor. He enjoyed doing projects around the house as well as hunting, fishing, and camping. He also enjoyed watching Westerns and War Movies. In his later years, you could find him playing games on his iPad. He was a devoted husband, an amazing father who taught his children well and a doting grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great- grandfather.
He was a son of the late Ellis Garfield Rooks and Irene J. Salters Nash. He was also preceded in death by both of his brothers, Herman Rooks and Timothy Nash.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Karen Rieske Rooks, Nahunta; two daughters, Shirley Garrett, Ft. Myers and Dorothy Crews, Cleveland, TN; two sons, Kenneth Rooks Jr. (Susan Hall), Blackshear and John (Brenda) Rooks, Walworth, NY; a sister, Janice Fagan of Florida; a sister-in-law, Heidi Nash, Naples, FL; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild with a second on the way in August and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jason Long officiating.
Memorialization will be by cremation.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is honored to serve the Rooks family during this time.
