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Joseph Clinton Root

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Everett High School University of Washington

Joseph Root Obituary

Joseph Clinton Root

Local artist Joseph Clinton Root, of Everett, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2007, after a year-long battle with cancer. Joe was born on January 29, 1959 at Providence Hospital in Everett. He attended Immaculate Conception School and Everett High School, graduating in 1977. From an early age Joe displayed a keen artistic talent and developed his own stylistic identity based on his love of sailing, wildlife and the outdoors. Joe attended the University of Washington and was accepted to the school of commercial art at Seattle Central Community College, where he graduated with special recognition in 1981. Joe went on to work as a freelance commercial artist and as a graphic artist for the Everett Herald. His true love was fine art, and he eventually opened his own gallery in Everett. Joe's works have been featured at the Everett Yacht Club, Snohomish County Arts Council Gallery, Pacific Northwest Wildlife Exhibition, as well as many other local galleries. His lighthouse painting was selected for the official 50th anniversary poster for the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival. He was regularly featured in the Foss Maritime Calendar contest, also winning the coveted prize of the company's annual holiday card. Joe will be remembered by his many friends for his generous spirit, big smile, and his sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and William Root.
He leaves family members, Bill (Cathy) Root, of New York State; sister, Patricia Lord, of Everett; niece, Jessie Anell, of Everett; and sister, Teresa Pritchard (Frank), of Seattle, Washington.
Private family services will be held. A celebration of Joe's life will be held between 3 - 6 p.m., Sunday, January 14, 2007, at Buck's American Cafe, 2901 Hewitt Avenue, Everett. All are welcome.
Donations can be made to Providence Hospice of Snohomish County.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald (Everett) from Jan. 7 to Jan. 13, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Root

23 Entries

Janet Van Driel

January 30, 2007

Dear Bill, Patti and Teresa, I was one of your babysitters. I was Joey's first babysitter. It seemed like he was just a few weeks old the first time I babysat him and I was scared to death. He was darling even then! I had a brother 9 months older than Joey but I was only 14 years old - and Joey seemed brand new. (He was probably over a month old.) Your Mom and mine thought I was more than capable. My brothers' lives (Dirk and Rick)entertwined with your lives through living in View Ridge and I heard about you 'guys' from time to time from them. I am so saddened for all of you to have lost your baby brother. He sounds like such a remarkable, talented, good hearted person --one I would truly have liked to know as an adult. His legacy of art and life, and all of your fond memories of him, will live on forever in your hearts. My deepest, sincerest sympathy to you and yours. What a mark he left on all our lives. God bless and keep you close during this time of loss.

Renee Outcelt-Grassi

January 29, 2007

Happy Birthday Joe.Every Jan.29th for the past 30 years I have thought of you on this day as every day.I believe you are celebrating with your mom and dad.Give my buddy Kafer my love and you will always be in my thoughts and my heart.Loving you still.

Janet Krutsinger (Sparr)

January 16, 2007

To the Root Family,
I had the good fortune of working for your father at Fidelity in the early 80's, and also the pleasure of meeting your family during those years. I was saddened to read of Joe's passing in the paper, and you are all in my thoughts at this tough time. I, too, purchased a couple of Joe's watercolors, and still treasure them. May you find comfort in all of the good thoughts and memories sent your way.

Randy K Hansen

January 16, 2007

To Joe's siblings -

I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I guess that we kind of lost touch, and I didn't even know he was ill. He was a great guy, and I will miss him much. He had a gift as an artist, but his greatest gift was how he treated others.

My parents have an "original" Joe Root hanging in their home.....he did a picture of my parents house for a Fathers Day gift one year. My Dad was so excited!

I am sorry to have missed the celebration. Anyway, please accept my condolences. Your brother was a grand guy!

Norm Wangsness

January 13, 2007

To Theresa and the Root Family:

I wanted to express my sympathy for your loss. Joe was such a great person. Always so full of joy, a person with such a great heart... always one with a positive word on life and with words of encouragement to all who came into his life. I first met him when I transferred into EHS where he made me feel so welcome, me, the kid from out of town, and he took the time to make sure I met people, feel comfortable and made my days there so much more fun... Something I’ve never forgotten... Our many ski trips to Stevens Pass, water skiing at our lake house, and other outings are coming to mind as I write this... such great memories I’ve treasured over the years. We lost track of each other as “life” happened but I was so blessed to run into him again when he was up in the area when Taylor’s was doing their “closing doors” party and was so wonderful to be able to catch up a bit before he had to head south again.... still the same ole Joe... infectious smile, joyful laugh, happy with life... a time of blessing for me. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow.

Dan Hayes

January 11, 2007

To the Family and many friends of Joe I express my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of a truly genuine person. I,along with many others,had the priveledge of knowing Joe from the early days at ICS, thru EHS, and on into our adulthood. He ALWAYS greeted with a warm smile and soft spoken demeaner. Joe is a generous soul who gave of himself to his friends,family, and community and his artistic talent knows no bounds. He designed the invitations and program for our wedding and one of his finest works," Dungeness Spirits" hangs in our living room. Any person is better for having known Joe and he will be missed.
Rest well my friend and say Hi to Kafer, Deano,and Slack.

Katie Reed

January 10, 2007

Jessie and Pattie,
I am so sorry to hear about Joe. He was such a warm and funny guy. He was an amazing artist. I remember his painting of Jessie as the mermaid, what a sweet thing for him to do. I think of your family very often and hold all the memories of our childhood close to my heart.
Your friend,
Katie Reed

Ardyth Metz

January 10, 2007

To the Root Family:
I am so deeply sorry to hear of Joe's passing he was such a sweet and adorable child. I have not seen any of you in many years but have the fondest memories and love for all of you and send my deepest sorrows in your loss of Joey. Growing up with all of you through out the years Joe was such a doll in childhood and adulthood and WOW did he leave a mark with his personality and artistic talents for eveyone who knew him and about him.

Karen Klier Guiloreza

January 10, 2007

Joe will always be smiling in my memories. I am sad to hear of his passing and will hold your family up in prayer. Joe was truly special and I was blessed to know him.

Marcie Sanford (Stoner)

January 9, 2007

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I graduated with Joe from Everett High in 1977 and remember his kindness and the friendly smile that he shared with eveyone he met.

Kathy Petosa (Spooner)

January 9, 2007

I graduated with Joe from Everett High School and will never forget his beautiful smile. Please accept my deepest sympathies...

"Sometimes, when one person is absent, the whole world seems depopulated" ---Allphonse de Lamartine
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Patrice Hardy

January 9, 2007

Dear Theresa and Family: I cannot even begin to express the sadness I feel over the passing of Joe. I can't think of a time in my life when I didn't know him. We were baptized together, went to grade school and high school together, family vacations to Lake Chelan and he was my first boyfriend. Joe has a beautiful soul and his life, his kindness, his genuine love for family and friends will be remembered and felt always. All my love

Chris Rosenau

January 9, 2007

Hi Teresa and family,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss in Joe. Teresa it's another crazy reminder of how small this world is, in that we work together and I can remember seeing Joe's work around town as well. My prayers and thoughts are with your family.

Terry Asiala (Bjorklund/Taylor)

January 8, 2007

I remember Joe fondly as the younger brother of Bill, who I went to school with. I also remember him as the wonderful artist who did such a wonderful rendition of the Mukilteo Lighthouse. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

Dawn (Wolfe) Mesa

January 8, 2007

To Joe's family: I was saddened to read of Joe's passing this morning. We graduated together and I was privelaged to have known him for my last 2 years of high school. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone and always had the infectious smile.

My brothers, sister, & I purchased a print of his for my parents for Christmas one year and I have thought of him fondly everytime I see it. I will eventually have it and I will cherish his memory everytime I look at it.

Keep all of your happy memories in the forefront, he left a lasting legacy to you all.

Jennifer Kemper (Landis)

January 8, 2007

My name is Jennifer, and I used to help my mom clean your dad's house (Bill Root Sr.). My mom called me tonight and told me about Joe. I only met him three or four times, but he struck me as such a sweet man. I know he loved your father very much. Sometimes when his father was sitting at the kitchen table, he would kiss the top of his head as he walked by him. I am so sorry for your loss. My mom and I are both thinking of your family.

Debie McArthur/Bodda

January 7, 2007

I just want all of Joe's family to know how much Joe will be remembered. I went to school with Joe and I have thought about Joe often when are class reunions come up. Although Joe was a grade ahead of me he was always there in the hallways with his big bright smile and his sweet personality. He was always a part of Evett High that I will never forgot one of those people that you always talk about even 30 years later. I am so saddened to think that he is gone. But he will always be rememberd in my heart forever. My prayers go out to all his family and loved ones.

Norman Langseth

January 7, 2007

Teresa, Patty, & Bill,

I was very sorry to hear about Joe. I have so many good memories of him and his spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

mary secoy

January 7, 2007

Theresa and family: Handsome, charming, kind and humble, even with his abundant talent..Joe had it all...and looked like a young Clint Eastwood !! Truly! your parents were good friends and miss them terribly in our neighborhood...
Mary Secoy...Everett

Kathy petersen Lester

January 7, 2007

Patricia and Teresa,
My name is Kathy and I was the god daughter of your parents Bill and Barbie. My mom was Pat Petersen and your dad was her boss at Fidelity. I met Joe in 2002 not long after my mom died and we were talking about our upbringing and how similar our mothers faith and funerals coincided. He mentioned his last name was Root and I asked him "were your parents Bill and Barbie?" He said yes and I said they were my god parents and he responded "Your little Kathy?!!!!. We bonded after that and He was my god brother and I his god sister. I loved Joe very much and we had a connection I cannot describe. I will be at Buck's next week and I hope to speak to both of you personally. I am so sorry he is gone and I miss your parents still. He will never be forgotten and he will live in my heart forever. My dad Jerry sends his condolenses as well.
Sincerely,
Kathy Petersen Lester

Renee Outcelt-Grassi

January 7, 2007

Joe was the love of my life in high school. I have never met anyone more loving or gracious then Joe.His smile was and is unforgettable. The love and respect he had for his family showed the man he was even at 15 and 16 years old. The pictures,letters and cards I still have from 30 years ago are so dear to me. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved Joe.I will always love and miss him.

Josh Swanson

January 7, 2007

Joe was my uncle until my aunt and him split up. Joe was always so nice and happy and he always made me laugh. I always thought it was funny when he held himself sideways on a pole. I will always remember him fondly and my deepest sympathy goes out to his family

Chris (Watters) Summers

January 7, 2007

I often saw Joe at local festivals displaying his art. He always had a friendly greeting and a warm smile, just as he did back in high school. I'm so sorry for your family's loss.

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