Richard Charles Russell

Richard “Dick” Charles Russell

Dick was born January 28, 1941 in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho to Lloyd and Marjorie (Litzenberger) Russell.  After living in both Harrison and Fernwood Idaho, he graduated from St. Maries High School in 1959.  He then served our nation after joining the Navy where he rapidly advanced in rank to Boilerman Petty Officer 2nd Class.  His service took him aboard ships from San Diego to Japan which he enjoyed immensely and talked about often with great pride.

After returning from the Navy, Dick worked primarily as a Brick Mason.  He belonged to the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers for many decades.  He also owned and operated his own construction business as well as being a licensed real estate professional. He was one of those handy men who could pretty much fix or build anything.

He was a Milton, WA resident for well over 30 years.  His work with the Bricklayers Union brought him to the Puget Sound Region, with his devoted wife Judy, in the late 80’s  where there are countless beautiful buildings and structures with his literal thumbprint on them; what once was the Kingdome, The Harbor Steps and Safeco Field, just to name a few.

Dick was an avid card player and was known as the ‘Hand & Foot” master.  A huge sports fan, he never missed a Seahawks or Mariners game.  He loved all kinds of music, played the saxophone, and never passed an opportunity to get out on the dance floor and shake a leg.  A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, he thoroughly enjoyed camping, fishing, and harvesting seafood with his wife Judy, family and friends.  And friends, he had many, everywhere he went.

Dick passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side, on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at the age of 80.

He was preceded in death by his wife Judy, parents Lloyd and Marjorie, brother Ron, sister-in-law Nancy, and brother-in-law Bob Taylor.

He is survived by his sister and brother in-law Janice & Bud McCall; children Audrey and Arthur VanderVelde, Greg and Tina Johnson, Eric and Shannon Russell, and Kirsten and Brad Mueller; grandchildren Troy Johnson, Drew Johnson, Wyatt Johnson, Kyle VanderVelde, Kaitlyn Haney, Katarina Weir, Blaine Wilmotte, Hayden Russell, and Hadleigh Russell as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.

A private family gathering is planned to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers the family wishes any tributes to be made in his name to Alzheimer’s Association http://act.alz.org/donate or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org.