Nicholas D. Root

Nicholas David Root, age 38, passed away on August 20, 2026 after a tragic car accident eight weeks prior exposed a terminal illness. In his final weeks, he was surrounded by loved ones. Nick is survived by his wife Tasha, his father Christopher, his mother Katharina, his sister Kelsey Witmer (David), his brother Christian (Kiersten), and his six nephews and nieces whom he loved dearly. “Uncle” was his favorite title. Nick’s faith in God carried him through every hardship and every joy in life, and we find solace in knowing he is in Heaven where we will be reunited one day.

Nick was born on November 12, 1987 in Oklahoma. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and always looked back on his childhood with a smile on his face while recollecting memories of playing outside until the streetlights came on. He married the love of his life in 2015 after eight years together. They were married for 11 years, and together a total of 19. The other love of his life was baseball. He played throughout his childhood and entire high school career at Cibola High School. When he wasn’t playing anymore, he frequented games as often as he could and could not contain the joy he felt in a stadium.

Nick was the definition of an introvert; but once he let someone in, they were in for life. He loved deeply and made an impact on all those he interacted with. Throughout his life, God put Nick into situations to help others in big ways. As a teenager, he encountered a choking child with a panicked mother and saved the child’s life. As an adult, he came across multiple car accidents and people in distress on the side of the road. Many people would have kept driving, but not Nick. He always stopped and helped in any way he could. While these are just the big instances, many people will remember the smaller ones - showing up for someone who was struggling, providing an encouraging word, using his own hardships as a catalyst for helping others, and always ready to lend a helping hand. The world was better having had Nick in it, and it is our hope that others will remember his actions in life and be inspired to lend a helping hand, stop for the stranger in need, love those around them deeply, and live each day God gives like there is no guarantee of a tomorrow.

A celebration of life will be held at Lucas Funeral Home on August 28, 2026 at 10:00 am. Family and friends will be encouraged to share memories and photos of Nick in the online guestbook to help us celebrate a life well lived and gone too soon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Compassion International, a cause that was near Nick’s heart.