William 'Gene' Eugene Root

Mr. William “Gene” Eugene Root, age 87, of Kennesaw, GA., passed away Sunday, September 18, 2016. Mr. Root was born on July 28, 1929 in Memphis, Tennessee, a son of the late Percy G Root and Claire Hamlett Root.

Mr. Root served in the United State Navy for four years serving during the Korean War. Throughout his younger years Gene was always into playing sports, while in the Navy he was a Golden Glove boxer. During his military career he married the love of his life, Mrs. Muriel Thomas Root to whom he was married for nearly sixty-five wonderful years. After his time in the military Mr. Root went on to complete his college degree in Civil Engineering at The University of Mississippi. Gene spent most of his working career as a project manager for several different companies around the world; he even spent two years in the Philippines developing various projects. One of the major projects he was a part of was constructing the run way for The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Cape Canaveral, FL. Gene later settled here in Georgia where he was a project manager for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and then went on to open his own business with his son, G&S Auto. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching sports; he especially loved cheering on the Ole’ Miss Rebels. Mr. Root was a loving husband, father, and grandfather; he will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Along with his parents Mr. Root was preceded in death by his three brothers, Ben Root, Henry Root, and Buddy Root; and one grandson, Mark Klaus.

Mr. Root is survived by his devoted wife, Muriel C Root; one son, Steven (Chantelle) Root of Ranger, GA.; three daughters, Marsha (Harry) Klaus of Kennesaw, GA., Cheryl Root of Marietta, GA., and Mary Root (Lisa Redmon) of Decatur, GA.; three brothers, Joe Root, Jon Root, and Jack Root; three sisters, Martha Baker, Ruth Benton, and Betty Root; three grandchildren, Kimberly Estep, Daniel Root, and Meryl Redmon-Root; many nieces and nephews also survive.

The family will receive guests at eleven thirty in the morning and Celebration of Life Service will begin at twelve o’clock noon on Thursday, September 22, 2016 in the Chapel of Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home officiated by Deacon Stephen Ponichtera. Interment will follow in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

The following gentlemen have been requested to serve as pallbearer’s, Cameron Harp, Terry Stevens, Shawn Hull, John Tanchin, Todd Kaib, Stewart Smrekar.

The family will receive friends from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home with a Rosary taking place at five o’clock.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Root’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/, or Safe Passage, http://www.safepassage.org/

Please visit www.winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register.

Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, 2950 North Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, GA. 30152 has charge of the arrangements