Harry Root, Sr.

SMSgt (RET) Harry M. Root, Sr., 86, of Abilene, Texas, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 25th, 2017 in Abilene.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. 

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home with Minister Steve Hare officiating.  Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. 

Harry was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Viola Cottom Root and Harold Root on July 13, 1930.  He graduated Walt Whitman High in Camden, NJ.   Harry married (Marion) Darlene Young on December 21, 1951 in Ft. Worth, TX. He joined the US Air Force in 1948 and retired after twenty-two years of service.  He was a veteran of The Korean and Vietnam Wars. Harry received a commendation from General Nilhs Ohman at Carswell AFB for discovering the aileron tube problem on the B-36 “Peacemaker”. At Dyess AFB, he received an Air Force Commendation Medal for work in the Bio-Medical Engineering Field. Harry was Chief Engineer at Hendrick Hospital and Director of Facilities and GC for Woods Psychiatric Hospital in Abilene. He held a multi-engine, instrument rated, commercial pilot license. Harry was a member of Highland Church of Christ for forty-five years.

Harry was married to Darlene for sixty-five years, and treasured all their years together, especially the ones they spent RV-ing. Harry was at home waist deep in a trout stream or sky-high in a small plane.

Harry was preceded in death by his and Darlene’s daughter, Tracy Root, of Abilene. 

Harry is survived by his wife, Darlene Root, sons Harry Root Jr. and wife Andi of Abilene, Paul Root of Abilene, daughter Susan Root Aston of New York City, sister, Helen Bromke and husband Eugene of Cherry Hill, NJ, granddaughters,  Amanda Charleton and husband Nick of Merkel, Brittany Houlihan of New York City, Jamie Chamberlain of Abilene,  grandsons Nickolas Kloster and wife Maher of Abilene,  Chris Davila of Abilene,  Austin Sellers of Hawley, and great-grandchildren, Corbin and Caleb Kloster, and Auston and Jayden Charleton, and family friend, Elvira Sims.

Memorials may be given to Highland Christian Ministry, Love and Care Ministries, or Christian Service Center.

The family of Harry wishes to extend their sincere thanks to The Sunday Sisters and The Early Bird Bible Class at Highland Church of Christ.