John Michael Root, 87, died peacefully on May 10, 2025, at his home in San Antonio, TX. Born in London, England on June 24, 1937, he was among the many children shipped out of London during WW2 and ultimately emigrated to the U.S. with his mother in 1952. They settled in Danbury, NH where John graduated from Bristol High School, then subsequently from the University of New Hampshire in 1958. John became a naturalized citizen his senior year and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
John went on to serve 30 years in the Air Force in a variety of positions including as a navigator on B-52 bombers during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a pilot flying C-130’s during the Vietnam War, and played a pivotal role in Operation Babylift evacuating orphans from Vietnam at the end of the war. He commanded an Air Force ROTC detachment at the University of Wisconsin and ultimately served abroad as Air Attache at the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Defense Attache at the US Embassy in Ottawa, Canada before retiring in 1988. John also earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Pepperdine University while on active duty.
Following his retirement, John and his wife Toni returned to New Hampshire settling in Bristol, where he became active in the local community. He served as Executive Director of the Newfound Area Chamber of Commerce, served on the State Board of Education, was elected to the NH House of Representatives, and founded the New Hampshire Marathon, which continues to be held each year around Newfound Lake.
In 1998 John and Toni ‘retired’ again to San Antonio, TX to be closer to her family and escape the NH winters. In San Antonio John was active with the Academy of Learning in Retirement, the British Sporting Club, played lots of golf, and spent countless days cheering on his beloved Chelsea Football Club. John was happiest with some footy on the TV and a fresh cuppa’ tea.
John was predeceased by his wife Toni in 2006. In 2008, John married his second wife Gail Yonov. He is survived by his sons Stephen and Christopher Root, stepdaughter Alexis Yonov, four grandsons, Johnathon Root, Grant Schaefer, Grayson Schaefer, and Samuel Root, along with his nephew John Clark of Webster, NH and niece Ann Lear of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 17, 2025, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1416 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78232. Inurnment with military honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:00 PM.
