Milton W. "Milt" Root

Milton W. “Milt” Root, 76, a resident of Moses Lake, Washington, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at Avamere Rehabilitation and Specialty Care Center in Beaverton, Oregon.

Family Cryptside Services will be held at the Forest View Cemetery, 1161 W. Pacific Avenue, in Forest Grove, Oregon. A memorial gathering will be held Monday, July 13, 2009, please contact family for details.

Milton Wilbur “Milt” Root was born December 6, 1932, in Hood River, Oregon, the son of the late John Elwyn Root and Ella Mae (Castle) Root. He was raised and received his early education in the communities of Hood River, Boring and later graduated from Gresham High School Class of 1950. Upon his high school graduation he attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, majoring in Horticulture.

He was united in marriage to Zelda D. Nelson on December 25, 1954, in Vancouver, Washington. They celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this past December. Following their marriage they made their home in the communities of Helena, Montana; Missoula, Montana; Eugene, Oregon; Junction City, Oregon and Moscow, Idaho until 1989 when they moved to Moses Lake, Washington, where they had resided until which time they both retired and began a life as full-time RVs.

While living in Missoula, Milt worked for the U.S. Forest Service. While living in Eugene, he and Zelda owned and operated Milt and Zelda’s Nursery for several years. While living in Moscow, he worked as a Grounds Superintendent at the University of Idaho. While living in Moses Lake, Milt worked as the Moses Lake City Gardner for fifteen years, until he retired in 2004. Following his retirement, he and Zelda have volunteered with the State of Oregon Parks Department as hosts at Champoeg State Park, Nehalem Bay State Park and their favorite spot Dabney State Park.

Among his special interests he enjoyed caring for his cats, they owned and operated the Desertsunryz Catery, specializing in Abyssinians.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elsie Jo Rumery.

Survivors include his wife, Zelda D. Root, his two daughters and sons-in-law, Zoe Ann and JB Schumacher, of Culver, Oregon; and Yvonne and Jeff Clemens, of Forest Grove, Oregon; and his sister, Carolyn Hegstad, of Long Barn, California.

Also surviving are his five grandchildren, Karen, David and Marie Schumacher, all of Culver, Oregon; Auston and Shane Clemens, both of Forest Grove, Oregon; and thirteen nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the Milton Wilbur “Milt” Root memorial fund, c/o his daughter, Yvonne Clemens, 2714 Knox Ridge Terrace, Forest Grove, Oregon, 97116, in his memory.

Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives in Hillsboro is in charge of the arrangements.