Dates
Born in Madera, California, March 17, 1936 and died in San Angelo, Texas, March 13, 2022.
His parents, Roy Finis and Opal Florine (Justice) Root, natives of Alabama and Tennessee, made the great trek to California to find their futures. They settled down on a dairy farm in Chowchilla, CA, and raised two sons, James Patrick and Danny Bruce. Both boys spent most of their early childhood in Madera, spending time with their grandparents, cousins, and other relatives.
Anxious to explore the world, he joined the Marines in 1954. He was trained as a Communications Officed specializing in analyzing intelligence and planning. Foreign assignments took him to the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Misawa, Japan. Stateside tours included Kaneoke, HI, Camp Pendelton, CA, and NSA, Fort Meade, MD. In all, he served his county for 25 active-duty years.
Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Jim was employed as district manager for McLane’s Grocery Distribution. He remained with them for 14 years before finally entering full-time retirement.
In retirement, Jim enjoyed golfing at Bentwood CC, exercising at the health club, and “putzing” in the yard. He loved a good steak and a very dry martini, two olives.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Ellen (Baker), his four children: son, Patrick of Peoria, AZ, son, James (Rosita) of Lake Stevens, WA, daughter, Milana (Lee) Blok of Lynden, WA, daughter, Alisa Kayser of Lynden, WA. He is also survived by his brother, Danny (Sandi) and nephews, Heith (Ronda) and Aaron (Azul) Root. Surviving grandchildren are Baker and Witten Root, Luke, Zach, Connor, and Jordan Blok, James Jr and Kamarin Root and Jayme DeBoer and Alex Kayser. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren, Derek DeBoer and Jesi Blok.
You have had a good life, served your country well, and loved your family dearly. Your family will miss you. Until we meet again, Semper Fi.