Jesse Hart Root

Jess H Root, age 107, passed away on December 30, 2013 at his home in Mesa. He was surrounded by his daughter, Linette Morris (Dwight), sons Barry (Colleen) and Glen (Susan) along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rowena, his wife, preceded him in death in 2010. Jess was born in Pima, Arizona on December 13, 1906. He had fond memories growing up in the Gila Valley. He served 4 years in the National Guard of Arizona and 5 years in the Army. He was in Army intelligence in World War II on the Okinawa Island. Due to his intelligence work, a Japanese gun that was destroying any ship that came into the harbor was located and taken out. Many lives were saved. Jess loved baseball and played for the University of Arizona and then semi-pro ball traveling the Southwest. Upon his return and honorable release from the Army, he noticed a young lady by the name of Rowena Root. She was planning on serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had other plans, but put his plans on hold while Rowena served that mission. Upon her return, he asked her to marry him and she accepted. They were married on June 4, 1947. They had three children Sara Linette, Jess Barry and Glen Harvey. Jess graduated from Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, AZ. Received degrees from University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and University of Denver. He earned five degrees from Associate to PHDs. He managed a medical laboratory in Phoenix and then went to work for the Indian Hospital from 1970 - 1984 in Phoenix. He retired from the Indian Hospital as a lab technician at the age of 72. He was forced to retire when the new director found out his age. He served as a bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During this time he walked out of the building on a Sunday and was shot in the shoulder, due to a scuffle that was going on outside. He and his wife, Rowena, served as temple workers in the Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He retired at age 100. Services will be Saturday, January 4th at the LDS Chapel, 1415 E. Southern Ave.; Mesa, AZ at 10:00 AM with a visitation at 9:00 AM. He will be buried at the Safford City Cemetery, Safford, Arizona that afternoon. He is survived by his 3 children, their spouses, 19 grand children and 47 great-grandchildren with 4 more coming. Arrangements entrusted to A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary.