John A. Root, 78, of Solvang, California, went to be with the Lord on March 3, 2011 at home. He was born on March 26, 1932, in Chivington, Colorado, the son of late Thurman and Ada Root. John was the youngest of 3 siblings. After graduating from Oakland High School, he served in the United States Marine Corps. On September 22, 1956, John married his wife of 42 years, Jeannie Hamilton. They resided in the San Francisco Bay Area until they retired and moved to Rancho Santa Ynez in Solvang, CA. John truly loved spending his retirement years in the Santa Ynez Valley with friends, family, and his little dog, Lucky. John also loved spending time reading, watching the AYSO Soccer League and Santa Ynez Pirates football games, and traveling to Louisiana particularly during Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving and 4th of July.

He is survived by his daughter, Teri Root of Hammond, LA; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Colin Oakley of Buellton, CA; son-in-law, James Ayala and his wife Pamela Ayala of Oakley, CA; grandchildren, Joleen and Matt Ahlf of Antioch, CA; Jaime and Lee Stillman of Oakley, CA; Trevor Oakley of San Luis Obispo, CA; Bridget Oakley of Buellton, CA; Mackenzie Root of Hammond, LA; great-grandchildren, MiKaili and MiKenna Ahlf of Antioch, CA; and Miriam and Wyatt Stillman of Oakley, CA.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannie Root; his daughter Kathi Ayala; and his siblings, Jack Root and Letha Ragland. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at the Santa Ynez Presbyterian Church at 1:00 p.m. in the New Sanctuary. A reception will follow the service in the Fireside Room of the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association, http://www.alsa.org/ or the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, http://www.ovarian.org/.