Cecil was born August 12, 1922 in Clark, South Dakota to Roy T. and Bessie (Lorenz) Routh. In 1929 the family of eight children moved to Groton, South Dakota where his father was a building contractor. Here they lived until Cecil graduated in 1941.
Cecil enlisted in the United States Navy on November 16, 1942. Six of the eight Routh siblings also joined the service. He took basic training in San Diego, Calif., where he was schooled for 16 inch Naval guns. He was then transferred to Bremerton, Wash., and assigned to the USS West Virginia.
Cecil met Pearle Reetz while on leave in Groton. They were married aboard the ship June 10, 1944 by the ship’s chaplain.
While on board the USS West Virginia his ship supported operations at Iwo Gima Island, Okinawa Island and the Battle of Surigao Strait. Cecil was discharged on November 9, 1945.
In 1947 Cecil joined Pearle’s parents in their farming operation and they raised three boys. For 25 years he served on the Rosebud Electric Cooperative board. He also served on the township board and the Dallas Elevator Board.
For 32 years Cecil and Pearle enjoyed the good life by wintering in Arizona. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, fishing at the Missouri River, hunting and wood working.
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