1923
James
2018
James Root
August 24, 1923 — April 4, 2018
Jim Root had a bowl of vanilla ice cream and went to bed. He died peacefully in his sleep, at home, as he wished on April 4, 2018.
Jim was the first born of Charles Root and Lilly Swenson in 1923. When Jim was a toddler, his family left Independence, MO for California. He had many happy memories of his years in Pasadena and Monrovia, including his first guitar lessons at age six.
In 1932 the family returned to Independence, MO.
By the age of 13, Jim was playing his steel guitar in talent shows, often competing alongside his three younger sisters. He purchased his first model airplane kit for .10 about this time also.
After attending high school at William Chrisman, Jim served in the Army both stateside and in the European theatre towards the final days of WWII.
Upon returning to civilian life, Jim went back to school at the Kansas City Art Institute, earning his MFA in Industrial Design. As a student Jim worked part time at the Whatsoever Community Center where he met the love of his life, Barbara J. Newcomb. They married in 1950. It would come to no surprise that Jim designed the house he and Barbara moved into and made a home for their growing family in 1958.
Jim loved to fly, starting during his high school years, and always kept his Cessna 140 polished and ready to go. In his professional life he worked as an engineer and industrial designer for companies including General Motors, Westinghouse, Aeromotive Equipment, Vendo, Benson Aircraft, and Ruskin Manufacturing, resulting in 14 patents.
When Barbara was diminished by Alzheimer’s, Jim began a new career as a caregiver. He succeeded at this too and kept her at home until the last days.
Jim will be remembered by his daughters Jamie Root of Kansas City, MO. Lori Root and David Jacoby of Independence, MO, Kim Buczkowski and husband Craig of Weatherford, TX; son Eric Root and wife Mary of Overland Park, KS; brother-in-law Eddie Bryant of Camdenton, MO and sister-in-law Velma Newcomb of North Carolina.
Jim will be honored at a memorial party on Saturday, June 16th, 2018 from 10am until 2pm at the family home. Please feel free to come by and share your memories.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com.
(Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
Jim was the first born of Charles Root and Lilly Swenson in 1923. When Jim was a toddler, his family left Independence, MO for California. He had many happy memories of his years in Pasadena and Monrovia, including his first guitar lessons at age six.
In 1932 the family returned to Independence, MO.
By the age of 13, Jim was playing his steel guitar in talent shows, often competing alongside his three younger sisters. He purchased his first model airplane kit for .10 about this time also.
After attending high school at William Chrisman, Jim served in the Army both stateside and in the European theatre towards the final days of WWII.
Upon returning to civilian life, Jim went back to school at the Kansas City Art Institute, earning his MFA in Industrial Design. As a student Jim worked part time at the Whatsoever Community Center where he met the love of his life, Barbara J. Newcomb. They married in 1950. It would come to no surprise that Jim designed the house he and Barbara moved into and made a home for their growing family in 1958.
Jim loved to fly, starting during his high school years, and always kept his Cessna 140 polished and ready to go. In his professional life he worked as an engineer and industrial designer for companies including General Motors, Westinghouse, Aeromotive Equipment, Vendo, Benson Aircraft, and Ruskin Manufacturing, resulting in 14 patents.
When Barbara was diminished by Alzheimer’s, Jim began a new career as a caregiver. He succeeded at this too and kept her at home until the last days.
Jim will be remembered by his daughters Jamie Root of Kansas City, MO. Lori Root and David Jacoby of Independence, MO, Kim Buczkowski and husband Craig of Weatherford, TX; son Eric Root and wife Mary of Overland Park, KS; brother-in-law Eddie Bryant of Camdenton, MO and sister-in-law Velma Newcomb of North Carolina.
Jim will be honored at a memorial party on Saturday, June 16th, 2018 from 10am until 2pm at the family home. Please feel free to come by and share your memories.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com.
(Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Root, please visit our flower store.
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