Gary Donald Root

gary root

October 20, 1952 ~ October 4, 2017

Born in: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Resided in: Duluth, GA

Gary Donald Root passed away peacefully, surrounded by friends and family, Tuesday October 4th from a hard fought battle with a long term illness. Gary will be lovingly remembered by Mary, his wife of 44 years, his 3 sons Jimmy, Jesse and Doug, brothers David and Bobby and his entire family. He was a great person, father, brother and Grandpa. Gary was born on October 20th, 1952 in Ft. Lauderdale , FL to his parents Harry and Sarah Root. He moved to Decatur and graduated from Shamrock H.S. in 1970. From there he started working in the electrical and plumbing business. His drive, entrepreneurial spirit and $500 led him to founding CID, Inc in 1978 and a second company Atlanta Light Bulbs, Inc in 1981. Gary was a servant to the community and faithfully served the Lord. Gary was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church where he served as a member of the building committee, middle school youth group leader, Eucharistic minister and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Gary kept a special place in his heart for the people of Haiti. He was a member of the Haiti committee-he helped raise funds for clean water initiatives, worked on the ground with the people of Thomassique and rounded up soccer balls for the Haitian children. Gary loved to spend time with his 3 sons...since they were athletes he spent a lot of time on the field. Gary served as a soccer coach for all his sons and spent many nights lining the fields at Brookwood Community Stadium. Professionally, Gary was passionate about lighting and served on various boards and committees over the years. He spent a lot of time involved with NAILD(The National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors) where he served on the board from 2000-2006 and President in 2004-2005. In Gary's spare time he enjoyed spending time at Lake Burton and Saint Simons, playing tennis , golf, ping pong and loving his grandchildren.Visitation will be held at Wages and Sons Funeral home- 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville GA 30046 ‪from 6 to 8:30pm Monday Oct 9th. The funeral mass and reception will be held ‪Tuesday October 10th @11am - St Lawrence Catholic Church -319 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville Ga 30046 In lieu of flowers please consider sending donations in the name of Gary Root to: -St. Lawrence Catholic Church Building fund -Mayo Clinic(Alzheimer's Research) 200 First Avenue Southwest, Rochester, Minn. 55902 https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc -Gwinnett Medical Center Hospital Foundation 1755 North Brown Road Suite 100 Lawrenceville, GA. 30043 https://9082.thankyou4caring.org/donatemc -Georgia Right to Life 783 Holcomb Bridge Road Norcross, GA 30071 www.GRTL.org/?q=donate  

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  1. Sorry for your loss it’s always hard when a love one passes John 5:25 helps to appreciate that there is hope for the dead so this brings us comfort knowing one day we will be able to see our loved ones again my thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  2. I knew Gary quite well at Shamrock and we graduated at the same time. I remember Gary as fun loving and always ready to get into some kind of trouble with his friends, although we managed not to do so, much. He was a great guy and a dear friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary and all of his family. Hopefully, I’ll see him again someday. May God bless.

  3. My thoughts and prayers are with Mary and the family. I remember him as such a good person. May Lord be with you all.

  4. I work with Mr. Root’s daughter-in-law, Jane, who kept me updated on his condition during the past year. Please know that I am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers during this time. May God send his ministering angels to comfort each of you.

  5. I played soccer at Shamrock with Gary. He was the 2 years older than me and I remember him to be very competitive and a great leader for the team. I know your family will miss him. So sorry for your loss. God Bless.

  6. I’m so grateful to have crossed paths with Gary. He taught me the difference between spending time and investing it and I owe him much gratitude for the opportunities he gave me. Gary is someone I’ll never forget.

  7. I have many special memories of Gary and will hold them all close to my heart. Mary, you and the boys are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you.

  8. I’m so happy I ran across Mr. Gary Root and his family. I enjoyed working with them. Best of all I enjoyed hearing the stories Gary would tell about how he got started in to the lighting business. Gone but not forgotten.

  9. Mary & The Root Brothers may God comfort & strengthen each of you in the days ahead. I am honored to have had 50 years of friendship with Gary & Mary from Shamrock High School & beyond. I will always remember Gary as a Fun & encouraging friend Spiritually & in Business. I will never forget the day that he called me so worried about Mary and ask that I come to a Special Prayer service for Her. He loved his Family & nothing put a smile on his face like his grandchildren Riley & Elizabeth! May His Memory Be Eternal. With Deepest Sympathy & Love.

  10. To the family of Gary Root:
    We consider it a wonderful blessing to have known such a caring and selfless man.
    It seems like too soon an exit from all of us who knew him and a heartbreaking loss
    to his family. God surely has a need for such a good person. There are so many
    lasting memories and lessons he brought to all those fortunate enough to have
    the pleasure of his friendship. Our heart and prayers go out to his family.
    Gary will sorely be missed; he was one of the good ones.
    The Petro family.

  11. Gary is someone I will never forget . Gary is the first boss I ever had that cared about his employees and made them feel like a person not just a number on a time clock. He gave me great opportunity . Rip Mr. Root and Thank You

  12. Just heartbroken for Mary and the boys… Gary and family were our first neighbors, with many fun memories and becoming our friends for life. Sending our love your way!!!!

  13. Gary was an awesome man and a true servant of our Lord. He is now receiving the reward for a life spent serving others. Our love and prayers go out to Mary and the family.

  14. Mary and family, may the Lord comfort you all. Phil and I want you to know you are in our thoughts, prayers and forever in our hearts. Phil and Ellen Eve

  15. Mary, you and the entire family are in our prayers. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, and Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gird you and carry you through these next days and weeks. There isn’t enough room for all the wonderful things that I have to say about Gary. I have so many special memories of visiting with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Harry, and the cousins. Gary always took time to visit with his little girl cousin and made me feel special. One of my favorite memories was him teaching me how to clean coins with toothpaste. ???? He had a huge coin collection! Then when you two got married, and Douglas was born, we always had great conversations in the car when he would pick me up to babysit. I have so many memories throughout my life of great conversations and kind gestures from Gary’s compassionate and generous heart. I’ve missed talking with him in the last few years. I am thankful that he knew Jesus and isn’t in any pain. I love you all very much, and I’m here for each of you should you need someone to just listen.❤️

  16. Oh, Mary, My heart hurts for you and your family. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Heaven has gained a wonderful man♡

  17. Dear Root family members,
    It was with great sadness that I read of Gary’s passing. Gary and I struck up quite a friendship before and after he Atlanta Light Bulbs joined NAED (National Assn of Electrical Distributors). Gary served on the NAED South Central Region Council and was always an outspoken champion for change…and looking at things from different angles. On behalf of NAED (and me), our sincere condolences on your loss. Gary will be sorely missed.

  18. Keeping the Root family in my thoughts and prayers. Thinking of all those fun times together at the soccer fields. May you rest in GOD’s peace as you face the days ahead.

  19. Mary and Family
    Sorry for your loss… May the lord bless and keep you and yours especially close these days. We are so happy and thankful for Gary’s friendship and help with our lighting at the St Vincent DePaul Thrift Store at Scenic Plaza. Gary always kept our store bright and well lite for many years. May God remember his kindness and generosity for all his help. He always had such a wonderful smile and gentle way about him. He will be missed by all who knew him.

  20. Bodie Bodie you will be miss forever and I know you are in good hands in the heaven. All my thoughts and prayers to Mary and the Root BROTHERS with Love

  21. My sincere condolences and prayers for peace for Mary, Doug, Jimmy, Jesse and all the Root’s extended family. A great man lost too soon. May he rest in peace. May you find solace and comfort in all the great things Gary accomplished in this life!

  22. Mary, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. I wish I could be there to give you a hug, but we will see each other soon. Be strong, God Bless, and may he always surround you with loving friends and family that keep all the wonderful memories of your life with Gary. Love, Marge.


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