James Elliot Root Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James Elliot Root was born March 19, 1939 in DeKalb, Illinois. He grew up on the family farm in Maple Park and dairy farmed in Hampshire until 1991. As a young man, Jim played basketball in college and graduated with a Masters from Northern Illinois University. Having taught in Crystal Lake and Malta, he spent most of his career at Hampshire High School where he taught, served as the Athletic Director and coached Varsity Basketball. Jim was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in 1980 and the IHSA Hall of Fame in 1994, retiring in 1998. In 1960, Jim married his beloved wife, Beverly. Together they treasured their 6 children, 19 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Surviving are his wife Bev; daughter Dawn (Steve) McGrath and their sons Christopher and Nicholas; daughter Darla (Hank) Gunn and their children Kevin (Sophie), Kyle (Karah), Kelly, Katelyn, Kate (Ryan), Karen (Zeke), Adam, Mitchel, and Laini; daughter Deborah (Deron) Rueff and their children Jackson, Taylor and Grant; son Darren Root and his children Carson and Morgan; daughter Dyan Lausas and her daughter Brittany; and son David (Julie) Root and their children Mia and Dalton. Preceding him in death are his brother, Steven, and his parents, LeRoy and Martha (Plapp) Root. In 2005, Jim and Bev moved to Avon, Indiana and enjoyed many years of supporting their grandchildren at various competitions and performances. Jim never forgot his many wonderful friends from Hampshire who knew him simply as "JR". Following a valiant battle with cancer, Jim passed away on December 7, 2015 surrounded by family. He will be missed greatly, but remembered for his strong work ethic, his commitment to his students and athletes, his sense of fun and competition, and his devotion to family and friends. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 14th at the Zion United Methodist Church, 157 W. Jefferson, Hampshire, IL. Burial will be follow in the Hampshire Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the church and will continue on Monday prior to the services from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the James E. Root Memorial Fund (to fund JR's favorite charities) in care of Fredrick Funeral Home, P.O. Box 445, Hampshire, IL, 60140.

James Elliot Root

March 19, 1939 - December 7, 2015