Richard C. Russell CMSGT USAF (Ret.)

RUSSELL, Richard Clayton

CMSGT USAF (Ret.)

Born February 1, 1929 to Barton and Helen Russell in Bismarck, North Dakota; died May 23, 2014 at the age of 85.

Shortly after his 17th birthday in 1946, Richard enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served in the Occupation Forces in Japan until 1949. At the age of 21, and after one year of civilian life, he re-enlisted in the US Air Force on March 24, 1950. He was assigned to Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he married Rose M. Dearborn on June 11, 1950. At the end of his four-year enlistment, the family of four moved to Spokane and he joined the Washington Air National Guard as a full-time technician. He retired in 1976, with 30 years of military service.

The father of eight served on the Cheney School Board for nine years. During the 50 years he lived on the West Plains, he was president of the Sunset Elementary PTA, a Boy Scout leader, and he served on the Airway Heights Planning Commission and the Airway Heights City Council. He was president of the West Plains Business Association and served as Mayor of Airway Heights from 1986-1990.

In 2002, health problems forced the sale of his acreage in Airway Heights. In 2003, he moved with his wife, Rose, a retired RN, to Broadway Court Estates in the Spokane Valley. With the help of Hospice Care of Spokane and his children, he was able to stay at home throughout his final illness.

Richard Russell is survived by his wife, Rose Russell; his four sons, Bart Russell, Robert Russell and wife (Loretta), Glenn Russell and wife (Leilani), Joe Russell and wife (Jeannie); and four daughters, Patty Downing and husband (David), Kathryn Roybal and husband (Lloyd), Marie Russell, and Lora Russell. Additionally, there are Russell’s Galore of Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, and one Great-Great-Grandchild.

There will be a Celebration of Life with Military Honors on May 30 (Friday) at 1:00 pm at Broadway Court Estates, 13505 East Broadway Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA, followed by visitation at 6:30pm and a Vigil Service at 7:00pm at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 North Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held May 31 (Saturday) at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, 1115 West Riverside Avenue, Spokane, WA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to House of Charity in Spokane (www.CatholicCharitiesSpokane.org/house-of-charity) or a charity of your choice.