Russel Lee Reynolds

Russel is survived by his siblings: Doris Simmons of Salem, Oregon, Janice Chisum of Fortuna, California, Gary Reynolds of Ridgefield, Washington and Denny Reynolds of Sandy, Oregon. Russel is also survived by 4 nephews, 4 nieces, and numerous great nephews and nieces. Russel is preceded in death by: his parents, Cecil and Marjorie Reynolds of Portland, Oregon, and his partner Emiko Hanson of Portland, Oregon.

Russel was born on November 26, 1940 to Cecil and Marjorie Reynolds in Independence, Oregon. During World War 2, Russel and his family lived in Los Angeles. Russel and his family then settled in Salem, Oregon through his school years. During the summers of his Salem years, he worked the fields picking various crops. Russel graduated from North Salem High School in 1959.

After high school, from 1960-1963, Russel bravely served in the Coast Guard making several patrols through the Bering Sea on the Coast Guard icebreaker Northwind. The ships’ duties included bringing vital medical and dental supplies to remote villages of the Alaska territory.

Following his service, he attended Portland Community College studying “Machine Drafting,” graduating in 1967. He then worked for the Army Corps of Engineers for 38 years, retiring in 2005. During this time, he began dating a fellow coworker named Emiko Hanson. They were in a relationship until Emiko passed in 2006.

Russel lived his adult life in Portland, Oregon until moving to Van Mall Retirement in 2020. Russel enjoyed classic cars and car shows as a hobby. Some of the favorite cars he owned were his first car a 1950 Ford, and his 1963 Chevrolet Impala. Russel spent much of his time with his nephews and nieces, and his great nephews and nieces.

Through his kindness and generosity, Russel leaves us with a lifetime of laughs and memories.