Vernon Root

Vernon Ormel Root, born September 1, 1932, passed away Monday, October 15, 2007. Vernon grew up in the East Texas oil field where his Dad worked for Marathon Oil Company. He attended Carlisle High School and after a semester at Kilgore Jr. College joined the Navy and he served for four years during the Korean War. In 1959 he graduated from the University of Texas with a BA in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation he worked as Project Engineer to develop solid rocket motors for missile propulsion systems at Thiokol Chemical Corporation, North American Aviation and Sperry-Rand before moving back to Austin in 1968 to work for Tracor. Vernon spent the remainder of his life in Austin, subsequently owning Orig-Equip of Austin for several years before going into the oil business. He was a member and Deacon at Hyde Park Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, fishing and square dancing. Survivors are his wife, Rosanne; two sons, Larry and his wife, Martha; Kirk and his wife, Lori and grandsons, Chris, Cub and Casey; a daughter, Leanne Rybicki and grandchildren, Dylan, Clarissa, Stacey and Laura; and a sister, Margaret Tipton. He is also survived by his 98 year old aunt, Doris Lloyd. One of Vernon's favorite things to do was to spend time with the boys at Texas Baptist Children's Home; he had many Christmas parties with them, as well as taking some of them to the University of Texas basketball games. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2007 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel with Dr. Ralph Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Texas Baptist Children Home, 1101 N. Mays, Round Rock, TX 78664.