T. Root

Thomas Root “T.J.”

July 14, 1931  -  September 10, 2018

Okeene-Service for T.J. will be Monday, September 17, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Church of the First Born in Homestead. Viewing will be Sunday from 3:00 6:00 p.m. with family present from 4:00 - 6:00.  Burial will follow at Homestead Cemetery with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Okeene.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook:

Eighty-seven years ago on July 14, 1931 Thomas Jake Root  ”T.J.” as he was known to many, came into this world.  One of twelve children born to Cecille Smith Root and Elvin E. Root in Homestead.  When T.J. was only seventeen in 1948, he was working in construction with his dad building a grain elevator in Orienta.  One day while on scaffolding, T.J. fell, falling 90 to 95 feet to the ground.  Suffering numerous injuries, T.J. said, “God so loved me, that he gave me an opportunity to serve Him.”  Then one day in a diner in Edmond, T.J. met Dolores Marie Hood, and they were destined to be together for the next fifty-six years.  To this union five children were born, Debbie, Lynn, Ronnie, Johnny and Mary. The family started out in Edmond, later moving to Homestead, then to Fairview and finally settling in Homestead.  T.J. retired from Waldons in Fairview.  T.J’s hobbies were buying and selling cars which he did until the end.  Then January 2009, T.J. lost his loving wife, Dolores.  T.J. later met Judy McCarty of Hennessey, and they married in 2013.  Judy brought companionship and comfort to T.J. T.J.‘s passion was going to church and visiting and ministering to others.  On September 10, 2018 T.J. laid down his burdens and exchanged them for a crown.  He’ll be dearly missed here.

T.J. is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughter, Mary Schadler of Lahoma; son, Lynn Root; son, Ron Root and wife, Lawana of Homestead; son, John Root and wife, Sheila of Enid; five stepchildren, Cindy Evans and husband, Paul, Chris Grothe and wife, Theresa, Shelly Alvardo and husband, Sal, James McCarty and wife, Tami and Debra Beck and husband, Roger; fourteen grandchildren; forty-one great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

T.J. was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores; his parents; eleven siblings; daughter, Debbie and grandson, Raymond Ake, whom T.J. and Dolores raised along with sister, Deanna Ake.

Memorials may be given to the church through the funeral home.