James "Jim" Root, Jr

James “Jim” Root Jr., 57, of Albright, West Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on February 24, 1969, in Towson, Maryland, Jim was the son of James Root and Agnes Root of Kingwood, West Virginia.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, son, Pappy, brother, uncle, and friend. He graduated from Central Preston High School in 1987. In 1998, Jim began a career of dedicated service to his community as a Deputy Sheriff with the Preston County Sheriff’s Department. Before retiring as a Captain in 2020, he helped establish Preston County’s first SWAT team, served as a firearms instructor, and earned the respect of his colleagues for his exceptional marksmanship and strong leadership.

Jim enjoyed shooting, cheering on the Seattle Seahawks, and taking drives in his beloved Toyota Tacoma. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family—playing ball with his boys, watching Mountaineer games, relaxing on his property in Tucker County, and showing off his skills in Red Dead Redemption. Anyone who knew Jim knew that being in his presence meant laughter, love, and unforgettable memories.

In addition to his parents, Jim is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Janice Root; his four sons, Joshua Root (Debbie), Jake Root (Katie), Lucas Root (Emma), and Brendan Root; his three daughters, Avery Root, Natasha Childers, and Jada Childers (Austin); his bonus son, Edwin Harper; his three cherished grandchildren, Jaylin Dever, Weston Reed, and Bodhi Reed; his brother, Jarion Root; his nephews, Liam and Laken Root, and Quinn Berry; his nieces, Jessica (Hadley) and Violet Root; and his beloved cat, Little Miss Meow Meow.

Family and friends will gather to honor Jim’s life during visitation on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Kingwood Funeral Home and Crematory, 295 South Price Street, Kingwood. A private inurnment will be held at Texas Cemetery in Eglon. Online condolences can be made at www.kingwoodfuneralhomewv.com. Kingwood Funeral Home is honored to serve the Root Family.

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