Rourke, John Francis, 75, of Lutz, FL, and former resident of Bartlesville, OK, passed away on November 3, 2017. He was born on September 15, 1942 in Pasedena, TX to Francis and Jim Rourke. John was an Aircraft Dealer and an accomplished pilot who held 23 type ratings in addition to flying Jets and WWII aircraft. In addition, John was also an Airline Transport Pilot and Airplane mechanic. John was in the aircraft industry for over 50 years and his talents and accomplishments will never be forgotten by his family, friends and colleagues.
John was an avid motorcycle flat track racer and once was the vintage bike flat track champion. He had won many flat track races and competitions and was still racing in the super senior class and raced as recently as a week before his passing. John was highly respected by the flat track racing community and will be greatly missed.
John is survived by his daughter, Mary Kay Arrington of Brandon, FL; granddaughter, Jordan Arrington of Brandon, FL; the love of his life, Ellen Patridge of Lutz, FL; brothers, Tim Rourke of Owensboro, KY, and Pat Rourke of Savannah, GA.
John is preceded in death by his father, Francis Rourke; mother, Jim Rourke; sons, Johnney Rourke and Michael Rourke; as well as his granddaughter, Taylor Arrington.
There will be a celebration of life that will be determined at a later date as John wanted his life celebrated, not mourned. He left this earth doing all the things he loved to do as well as living his life to the fullest.