He grew up in Moro where he went steady with every girl in his first grade class—though mostly not at the same time. He was born on June 7th, 1948 and lived in Sherman County through high school and a few years beyond, though his family moved to The Dalles when he was a senior in high school. He served in the Army for two years, mostly in Alaska.
Russ worked in gas stations, eventually leasing one in Portland. He moved with a friend to Pocatello, Idaho in the late 1970s to work for the railroad repairing train cars. He was eventually transferred to Hermiston, where he retired on disability from the railroad. He was fond of cars, buying a ’73 Mach 1 Mustang in Arizona, and enduring a long drive home when it kept overheating. He restored and then sold it. Russ was also fond of women and bars, not taking guff from anyone.
He is survived by his mother, Otilia “Tillie” Vann of The Dalles, and his sister, Gloria Geiser, of Portland. He passed on November 22 in Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, WA from acute respiratory failure after a bout with pneumonia.
A potluck Celebration of Life is planned for Dec 11 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sherman County Senior Center in Moro. People are invited to bring pictures as well as memories to share. Rather than flowers, friends are encouraged to contribute to Russell’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his name.
Please sign the online condolence book at www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
