Chester Eugene Root Sr. Died on April 12, 2010. He was born in San Diego, California on September 14, 1921, the son of Clarence E. Root and Marie Whall Root. He grew up in Huntington Park, California where he attended Huntington Park High School. He was a varsity letter winner in swimming and water polo. He held a school record in swimming that was never broken. Throughout his youth he was active in the Southeast YMCA and attended the Huntington Park Methodist Church.

During World War II he enlisted on July 28, 1942 as a Corpsman in the Navy. He served with distinction in the 2nd Batallion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Corps Division in the Pacific theater. He was in the first wave to land at Tarawa the bloodiest battle of World War II. He was promoted for heroism in that battle. He was in the second wave to go ashore at Saipan. And Chester was in the first wave to go ashore at Tinian the island taken to launch the nuclear attack to end the War. He was often cited for his bravery and won the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained at Tinian. He was promoted to Pharmacist's Mate 3/c. He was honorably discharged on May 22, 1945.

When he returned from the War he worked for the Los Angeles offices of the west coast grocery wholesalers, Maillard and Schmeidell. He eventually started his own company Chet Root and Associates also in Southern California. He and his wife Jessie retired in Cook, Minnesota. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Maywood First Assembly of God Church in Maywood California, Granada Heights Friends Church in La Mirada California, and the First Baptist Church of Cook, Minnesota.

He was married to his wife Jessie for nearly 63 years. He was the father of four children: Kathy, Chester Jr. (who preceded his father in death), Jerry, and Jim. His son-in-law was Tad (who also preceded him in death) and his daughters-in-law are: Margaret, Claudia, and Merrilee. He has 12 grandchildren: Amy (married to Tim), Mindy (married to Rusty), Greta (married to Jason), Matthew, Liza (married to Steven), Jeremy (married to Michele), Alicia (married to Zach), Grady (married to Leanne), Jeff (married to Jori), Greg, Neil, and Emilee (married to Tracy) and 6 great-grandchildren: Clara, Lucy, Grace, Ruby, Anna, Alexee, and Aiden.

Private services were held in Wheaton, Illinois and a private graveside service was held in Cook, Minnesota.