Leighton "Lee" Root, 91, passed away Aug. 13, 2009 at his residence in Carson City. Lee was born July 21, 1918 in Medford, Minn., to William and Frances Root. He worked as a construction carpenter for ITT Gilfillan in Van Nuys, Calif., for 27 years.
Lee was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Army as an infantryman while stationed in the Philippines.
He loved to fish and enjoyed gardening along with playing keno at the local casinos.
Lee moved to Carson City in 1980 from Inglewood, Calif. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Carson City for many years.
Lee was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary, who passed away in 1994.
He will be dearly missed by his daughter, Lannie Harkins, and her companion, Jim Dixon, of Grants Pass, Ore.; granddaughters Kami Harkins and Kristi Mendes and her husband, Stephen, all from Fernley; great-granddaughters Megan Montoya of Atascadero, Calif., and Kyleigh Mendes of Fernley; and a great-grandson, Bailey Mendes, also from Fernley.
A memorial service for Lee will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1201 N. Saliman Road, Carson City.
Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of final arrangements.