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MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP, MI – Clayton William Root, Sr., age 85, of Marquette Township, and former Big Bay resident, entered eternal life Sunday, January 31, 2021, at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee.
Born August 15, 1935, in Munising, a son of John and Mona (Ripley) Root, Clayton was the baby in a very large family. His mother died while giving birth to him and he was raised by his older sister, Eva. He was raised on the family farm where he very early in life developed a strong work ethic. He worked hard, was always busy, and in the little free time he had, he enjoyed fishing. He attended grade school in Autrain and high school in Munising. At age 14, Clayton went to work at the foundry melting down metal and making snow plow shoes. Again, the work was hard, but he persevered and even before he had a driver's license, he was driving a logging truck. He even took the logging truck to use for his driver's license test. He entered the US Navy in 1952, during the Korean Conflict, serving on a submarine for a time, but was mainly stationed in Japan. Upon his honorable discharge in 1956, he returned to Munising and worked for his brother-in-law. It was in Seney that Clayton met his future wife, Marie White, and they were united in marriage on March 2, 1957, in Munising. In late November of that year the couple had their first daughter. The couple made their first home in Munising and then traveled as Clayton worked construction throughout Upper Michigan at Munising, Christmas, L'Anse, Aura, Iron Mountain, and Big Bay. In 1966 the family moved to Big Bay where Clayton continued working construction for Goupille and Sons before employment working in the woods as a logger and eventually purchasing his own logging truck. Following an accident in 1972, and many surgeries and recovery, Clayton turned to woodworking, first as a hobby, and later on exhibited his various items, tables, bowls, and many more, at shows. In his leisure moments, Clayton often called on his children or would "tap them out" to challenge him in a game of pool after dinner, especially Mona, which usually got them out of cleaning. Making sure not to leave his middle children, John and Margaret out, they were also tapped out often to get beat by Dad in a game of pool. He loved his heated garage that housed his pool table and woodworking equipment. Many good memories were created with the kids there. Another passion was country music, spending hours listening to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. He often had his son, Clayton, copy CD's and enjoyed listening to them while woodworking. Watching westerns on TV and MASH were also favorite pastimes. Clayton was very well known and respected. He was a blue collar, gentle, kind hearted, and hard working soul who didn't linger on things, was very forgiving, and lived in the moment. However, his main priority was always his family. In 2016, Clayton and Marie moved to Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee and, on October 10, 2016, Marie preceded him in death. Both were members of the Community Presbyterian Church in Big Bay.
Clayton is survived by his children, Mona (Peter) LaBerge, John (Jody) Root, Margaret (Jerry) Fraley, Clayton (Christine) Root, Jr.; his grandchildren, James (Lindsey) Hudson, Jennifer (Jeremy) Suardini, Robert (Jaime) Vandezande, Aimee Fraley, Alex (Jessica) Fraley, Christine (Daniel) Doyle, John (Liberty) Root, Megan Owens, Adam (Jessica) Root, Eric Root, and Darcie (Michael) LaBerge; 24 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marie and granddaughter, Mary Margaret Root.
Private family services will be held with a public memorial at a later date in the spring. The family would like to express a sincere thank you to the caregivers at Eastwood Nursing Center for the wonderful care given to Clayton and Marie.
The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.