He was born May 18, 1951, in Patterson, California, to Joyce Robinette (Burden) and Alton Russell. He lived in Northern California in Petrolia until his teens, when he went to live with his grandparents in Napavine, Washington. He attended Napavine High School until he joined the U.S. Marine Corps on April 1, 1970.
He served during the Vietnam era and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He married Bonnie Cruver on Feb. 3, 1973, until 1988. He left the service on March 31, 1974, and resided in Temecula, California, for another year working for Hudson Oxygen Co.
They moved to Southwest Washington, where he worked for Weyerhaeuser Railroad for nine years before the railroad disbanded. He then started truck driving, which he did until he retired.
He is survived by his three children, Jennifer Van Doren (Paul), Jason Russell (Megan) and Justin Russell (Nichole); his brothers, Michael Russell (Michele) and Pat Russell (Karen); and stepsisters, Lynda McClanahan and Sandra Burden. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Stefan Smith (Jessica), Chelsea Smith (Damon), Devin Smith (Alexis), Gabrielle Smith (Jacob), Dominic Smith (Alyssa), Jonathan Van Doren, Colton Van Doren (Kendra), Keegan Russell (Reiley), Jason Russell Jr., Chevy Russell, Tayte Russell, Jacob Russell, Malakai Unterwegner, Krystal Russell and Matthew Russell; and great-grandchildren, Alexander Smith, Thor Pierre, Zyra Griffith, Lagertha Griffith, Duncan Smith, Ryn Smith, Rozlyn Schuler, Harper Schuler, Lincoln Russell and Clark Russell; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rose and Ernest Robinette, Floyd, Esli and Jesse Russell; his mother, Joyce Burden; stepfather, George Burden; father, Alton Russell; sister, Charolette Russell; and stepbrothers and stepsisters, Darrell Burden, Charles Burden and Becky Burden Baker.
The family would like to thank the Assured Hospice nurses and doctors, as well as the nurses at Golden Breeze Adult Family Home, for the care he received.
A graveside service will be held at Claquato Cemetery, 142 Stearns Road, Chehalis, Washington, 98532, at 11 a.m. on May 16, 2026, with a celebration of life following at the Adna Grange, 123 Dieckman Road, Chehalis, Washington, 98532.
