Mr. Donald Merle Root

Donald Merle Root of West Linn, Oregon, passed away Saturday April 8th 2023 at the age of 85. Don was born February 22, 1938 in Scottsbluff, NE to Merle and Ruth Root. He was raised in a farming community and graduated from South Sioux City High School in 1956. After graduating, he and his family moved to Los Angeles, CA. There he worked in banking and attended Santa Monica City College, in Santa Monica, CA.

Don married his wife, Kay Cripe on December 5th, 1959. Don and Kay celebrated and shared over 54 years marriage.

Don served in the US Army from 1961 to 1967. His first two years were at Ft. Sill, Lawton Oklahoma.

Don worked in the Aerospace industry as a machinist and operations supervisor for Northrup and Boeing. While working at Boeing, he enjoyed volunteering with the Junior Achievement program.

Don enjoyed Classic cars, antiques, sports, photography and woodworking. He also enjoyed attending his son’s high school baseball games and his grandson’s baseball and basketball games and tennis matches.

In their later years, Don and Kay traveled to London, Paris, Hawaii, Alaska and took a cruise through the British Isles.

Don and Kay always enjoyed the fact that their daughter, Debbie, was born on Mother’s Day and their son, Jeff, was born on Father’s Day.

Don will always be remembered for being thoughtful towards others, how he enjoyed being outdoors and helping his family with car and household repairs. While Don was rather quiet, Kay was talkative. They thought it was funny that their names spelled backwards were Yak and Nod…which described their personalities.

Don is survived by his daughter, Debbie Rinker (Brian); son, Jeffrey Root, and two grandchildren, Kyle and Michael Rinker. His beloved wife, Kay, passed away in 2014.

A private celebration of life will be held at Brian and Debbie’s home in Tualatin. Don was laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery.

The family encourages you to leave a message or share a story about Don in the on-line guest book. In lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to make a donation to the Portland Chapter of the American Heart Association, 4380 SW Macadam Ave. #480, Portland, OR 97239. https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/oreg

Arrangements entrusted to Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR