Jon Carl Root

Jon Carl Root was born on April 9, 1938, to Eula Doran Root and Carl Olan Root of Mission Highland (now Fairway), Kansas. Jon graduated from Westport High School, Class of 1956, and the University of Kansas, Class of 1961. He was a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 60 as a youth and earned the honor of Eagle Scout and membership in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Jon was a loving family man and appreciated spending quality time with his daughter, Amy, and son, Tom. Jon took an active leadership and mentoring role with Tom’s Boy Scout Troop 282 for many years. Jon’s military service included seven years in the Naval Air Reserve (NSA Olathe, KS) where he was a jet engine mechanic first class and an air crewman.

Jon’s notable 50-year career was with one company, formerly Southwest Oil and Grease and ultimately the Southwest Grease Business Unit of Exxon, which later became Exxon Mobil. Jon served as manager of Research and Development in his division of the largest manufacturer of lubrication grease in the U.S. Jon took great pride in his position, and truly loved the company, his colleagues, the products, the suppliers, and especially the customers. During his long and productive career, Jon held several U.S. and international patents and authored several articles on lubrication greases. Jon was a member of many trade organizations both in the U.S. and Europe and held many offices and honors within these organizations.

In retirement, Jon and his wife, Bonney, purchased a 1932 Packard and 1947 Packard Sedan and were members of the Packard Club and Classic Car Club of America. Jon and Bonney enjoyed many drives across the Midwest together. Jon also enjoyed woodturning, golf, and hunting.

Jon is survived by his daughter, Amy E. Wright and husband Todd Wright, along with a granddaughter, Addison, and a grandson, Carson, and a son, Tom Root, and his fiancée, Lisa Hildebrandt. Jon also leaves his loving wife of 26 years, Bonney L. Root, along with stepdaughter Adair and husband Jeremy Miller, grandchildren Presley and Gavin Greenwood and Hadley Miller, stepson Mason Mortimer and wife Helena, grandchildren Morgan and Max Mortimer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be sent to: Boy Scout Troop 101, PO Box 561, Louisburg, KS 66053