NASHVILLE
Keaton Todd Root, age 18 passed away all too soon on Monday, October 19, 2020 at Fort Huachucha, Arizona. He was a resident of Nashville.
Keaton was born March 20, 2002, in Columbus and graduated from Brown County High School in 2020. Following graduation, he enlisted with the United States Army where he was a beacon of encouragement and support for his brothers and sisters in Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Many of those brothers and sisters credit Keaton with getting them through Basic and have said that “Keaton always tried to make people smile and be a better person than he was yesterday.” After graduating from Basic Combat Training, Keaton was assigned to the Delta Company, 2-13th Aviation Regiment at Fort Huachuca, Arizona to begin his training as an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairman where he continued to encourage and build up those around him as a squad leader. Keaton was an extremely accomplished soldier who excelled in academics and physical fitness, putting him at the top of his Advanced Individual Training class. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal. His dedication to duty and his love for the country were an inspiration to all.
Keaton grew up attending New Life Community Church in Nashville. He spent his free time skateboarding, playing video games and enjoyed cooking and grilling pizzas, burgers, and steaks. Keaton loved to spend time in the outdoors hunting and building fires for friends and family, whom he loved fiercely, to gather around and spend time together. He lived his life unapologetically following the path that he believed to be right and welcoming those who wanted to join him exactly as he was.
He will be greatly missed by his mother: Michelle Lynne (Jeffrey) Collins-Wagers of Nashville, father: Todd (Jennifer) Root of Nashville, siblings: Madison (Samuel) Fuson of Williams, Alexandria Root of Bloomington, Branson Davis of Nashville, Tad Davis of Bloomington, Oliver Cambridge of Bloomington, Landon Cambridge of Bloomington, Silas Cambridge of Nashville, Jeremy Wagers of Nashville and Megan Wagers of Seymour, grandparents: Bill (Linda) Root, Judy Kelly, John B. Collins, Diane Hewitt and Joseph Best all of Nashville and Bert (Margaret) Wagers of Taylorsville; nieces & nephews: Ariah, Autrey, Beau, Mason and several cousins.
Keaton was preceded in death by his step grandfather: Ronald Hewitt.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 2nd at New Life Community Church: 1450 N State Rd 135, in Nashville. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. on Sunday, November 1st at the church. Funeral services have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown. Burial will follow at Duncan Cemetery in Brown County with military rites presented by the United States Army and the Brown County Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Keaton to: the Keaton Root Memorial Fund at the People’s State Bank in Nashville or Morgantown.
Expressions of caring and kindness may be sent to the Root family at www.meredith-clark.com.
