Leonard "Len" Root

Len’s love for flying started in 1972 as a student pilot. He gained his private pilot’s license at age 16, before graduating from Bend High School in Bend, Oregon in 1974. He studied aviation at Hesston College in Kansas and graduated in 1976.

Returning to Bend, Oregon, Len did flight instructing in various airplanes working his way up to multi engine aircraft. He flew for a small corporation before flying freight on the west coast. Len got his first corporate job with Dow Chemical in 1983 and moved to Lake Jackson, Texas.

Len started with American Airlines in February 1986 and moved to Dallas, Texas. Len’s 34-year career at American included flying the B-727, DC-10, MD-11, F-100, B-737, B-767/757, B-777 and A-320. Len also spent 5 years involved with the Americans Training department as an A-320 Checkairman. Len retired from American in 2021 as a B-787 International Captain. Len’s flying career did not stop after American Airlines, as he went to work with JSX Airlines shortly thereafter flying the EMB-145 as a training Captain.

Len’s love for flying went far beyond his career as he was a long-time member of the Commemorative Air Force including various wings within the CAF since 1993. He was most involved in the B-17 however flew multiple CAF aircraft as both Pilot in Command and Instructor Pilot including the L-5, C-45 (Twin Beech), C-47 (DC-3) and T-6 Texan. He was also a member of the Texas Soaring Club.

With God at his forefront and passion for serving others, Len was involved in many ministries through the years, including Grace Place, Airline Ambassadors, was an active member of Christ Is Your Life Ministry and a board member of With This Ring Ministries. Len and his wife often hosted small church groups in their home.

With his love for adventure, Len also enjoyed vintage auto racing. He was a long-time member of the Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing Club where he raced Formula Fords. Len loved to travel, especially with his wife, and made it his mission to see as many new places as possible.

The greatest thing about Len was his love for God, his family, and his ability to love people beyond measure, as he never met a stranger. Len had a very blessed life full of family and friends and unmeasurable love both given and received. In 1984, he started his family and by 1991 he had three daughters. Len later married his wife Angela in 2009 and welcomed her son and daughter into his family as his own.

Len was survived by his wife Angela; daughter Larisa Lichte and husband Tim and their five children, Evelyn, Elijah, Josiah, Allison & Madison; daughter Kendra Hockaday and husband Chad; daughter Rebekah Lowery and husband Damone and their four children, Nehemiah, Shiloh, Malachi & Azel; stepson Ryan Wallette and wife Rebecca and their three children, Adalynn, Nolan & Emmalynn; stepdaughter Alesha Damas and husband Tony; brother Marv Root and wife Rena; brother Steve Root and wife Linda; multiple cousins, nieces and nephews. Len was preceded in death by his father Lloyd Root and mother Rosabelle Root.

The family of Len Root wants to thank you for your presence today and expression of sympathy as it will always be remembered.

Memorial donations may be made at Keller’s Old Town Funeral Home to be distributed to various ministries.