Jeffrey G. "Jeff" Root

1946 - 2025

Jeffrey "Jeff" G. Root
06/03/1946 - 10/07/2025
Jeff was born in Berkley, California on June 3, 1946 to parents, Seth and Charlotte Root. He graduated from El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito, California and attended the University of San Francisco.
Jeff developed an interest in railroading while a young boy growing up in El Cerrito and his passion for trains led him to seek employment with the Southern Pacific Transportation Company, which subsequently merged into the Union Pacific Railroad Company. He worked for both companies for thirty two and a half years. For most of his career, Jeff was a records management specialist.
After retirement, Jeff closely followed the history of the Southern Pacific, maintaining memberships in several railroad historical societies, particularly the Southern Pacific Railroad History Center.
Between 1966 and 1971, he was a member of the California Army National Guard, mustering out as a staff sergeant, and his final military occupational specialty was railway movement coordinator.
Jeff is survived by cousins Joe McMullen and husband, Max Wells and Pete McMullen and wife, Julie, Kathie (McMullen) Knip and husband John; godson, McCabe Mattingly; and very close friends, Bill and Diane Fowler.
Jeff will be missed by many friends who shared his enthusiasm for the history of the Southern Pacific, which had a corporate lifespan of 146 years.
A private memorial service will be held for Jeff next month in San Francisco.
Donations in Jeff's memory can be made to the Southern Pacific Railroad History Center, 1475 Purson Lane, Lafayette, CA 94549 or to Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108.