Timothy A. Root

Timothy A. Root passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 47, in Los Angeles, California, after a brief battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Tim’s family and friends were devastated by his sudden passing. He will be remembered for his boundless energy, magnetic personality, and love for adventure.

He was born and raised in the Twin Cities metro area, and despite having lived in many other cities and parts of the world, he remained a Minnesota boy at his core and a die-hard Vikings fan his entire life.

Tim was a best friend to so many who needed one, and the first so many called when things were rough or when good news needed to be celebrated. He was the life of the party, often the center of attention, and possessed a strange combination of supreme confidence and sensitivity.

Tim spent his 20s working in bars and the entertainment industry in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles, amassing more loyal and close friends than most people could gather in multiple lifetimes.

A restless spirit in search of greater meaning on this planet inspired him to travel extensively to Europe and Asia before he eventually moved to the US Virgin Islands in his 30s, where he quickly established himself as the top wedding videographer in those islands.

Determined to remake himself after a 2017 major hurricane wiped out the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands, Tim returned to Los Angeles in his 40s and quickly became a top real estate agent for Redfin in Southern California.

One can see in Tim’s job history a desire to bring happiness to others. In continuation of this pattern, just before his passing, Tim was planning to open an art studio for kids.

Tim was also an avid and competitive athlete. Long after most of his high school buddies had hung up their cleats, Tim was an aggressive rugby player into his 40s, and he earned a reputation as a fearless teammate. In his final years, he also grew to love pickleball and bonded with a group of guys in a league at his athletic club who, like everyone else, were stunned at the sudden loss of someone who, weeks before, was so full of life and energy.

While he found financial success in his later years, Tim’s true passion in life was the people he loved.

No one was more important to him than his beloved daughter, Riley, who at 6 years old, must now navigate life with the loss of her larger-than-life father. It would bring Tim peace to know that Riley will be surrounded by love and support from her mother, Lissa Ress, her grandparents, and Tim’s extended family.

Tim was preceded in death by his mother, Betsy, and his beloved grandmother, Mary Jane Root. He is survived by his partner, Lesley Worton; uncle and aunt James and Gretchen Root and cousins Andrew and Courtney; uncle David Root and cousins Erin, James and Cate; and uncle and aunt Simon and Jeanne Root and cousins Simon, Kelly, Brady, and Maren. In addition, Tim was much adored by the younger third generation of extended Root family cousins.

A celebration of life service for Tim will be scheduled soon, and anyone interested in attending can check his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tim.a.root for details.

Tim was much loved and will be missed.

In lieu of sending flowers, please consider a contribution to an education fund for Riley organized by the Root family. Donations can be made here: Riley Ress Root Education Fund. https://gofund.me/a24559f3