Terry Russell, 90, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, peacefully passed away on July 16, 2015, at Skagit Valley Hospital surrounded by his family.
Terry was born in a Burlington hospital on February 19, 1925, the son of Carl & Etta (Warfield) Russell. He was raised in Birdsview and attended grade school in Hamilton, later moving to Oso and then Port Angeles where he graduated from high school.
He proudly served his country at an early age during WWII in Patton’s Third Army, but rarely talked about his service. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and throughout Europe and it surely shaped the man he became. After his discharge, he attended college at WSU, studied forestry, and started working for the National Park Service.
On December 29, 1950, he was united in marriage to his beloved wife of 64 years, Vivian Davidson, and they made their initial home in Kettle Falls where Terry worked for the Park Service. In 1956, he moved back to Skagit County and joined SR&M Portable Mill Company, traveling to various sites cutting timber. In 1967, he and Don Collins opened C&R Sporting Goods in downtown Sedro-Woolley which he operated until his retirement in 1987.
Terry was a man’s man who was loved by everyone who knew him. He was a caring, generous, and loyal husband, father, grandfather, and friend who was at his best when his extended family was gathered at the family’s home on Bottomless Lake. He also loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter throughout his life. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. He was a longtime member of the Sedro-Woolley Rotary Club, the Wildcat Steelhead Club, and the Elks Lodge.
He is survived by his wife, Vivian; his children and their spouses, Renee & Mike Swanson of Lyman, Cheri Russell of Edmonds, David & Janelle Russell of Seattle, Stacey Olsen of Sedro-Woolley, and Wade & Kara Russell of Bremerton; ten grandchildren, Erich, Matt (Lindsay), Kyle (Jenny) & Katie Swanson, Ava Russell, Stephen and Sean Olsen, and Phoebe, Lauren & William Russell and three great-grandchildren, Gia, Zola & Max Swanson. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Faye Wright, and two nephews.
A Life Celebration Service will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 1:00pm at the Central United Methodist Church in Sedro-Woolley. Private interment will be at the Hamilton Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Open Door Community Kitchen, 1013 Polte Road, Sedro-Woolley. Arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Terry was my father’s business partner in the sporting goods store. I remember his pipe. In my mind I always see him with it, and I loved the smell of his pipe tobacco. He was always so nice to us kids. A good man has passed.
I will miss you sooooooo much dad. You were always so happy when we were all together,so proud of us for what we had become. I loved your sillyness, your stories, but most of all, your unconditional love you had for mom and all of us kids. So many people loved you, because you were so kind and caring to all. Glad you are no longer in pain, but the world will not be the same without you in it. Cheri
My mother’s second marriage was to Terry’s uncle, Harry Warfield. We lived in Birdsview. Carl and Etta often visited us from Port Angeles. The only time I remember Terry coming was when he was in the Army, in uniform. I was probably a freshman at Concrete High School, in the 1940s. About 50 years later, I was teaching his grandson, Kyle Swanson, at Lyman School. 20 or so years later, I’m volunteering at Lyman and Kyle is
teaching there! Russell, Warfield, Spurling, King, Brown: historical Skagit county pioneers.
From the very first time I met Terry and Vivian they made me feel welcomed and made me feel like I was part of their family. During family dinners Terry always made sure I had enough to eat. We share a strong love for potatoes and Terry always encouraged me to eat that extra scoop! I will always treasure the after dinner talks just him and I would have. I loved listening to him talk about how proud of his family he was. I feel so lucky to have known Terry.
Vivian and family
I just heard about this or I would have been at the services. So sorry of Terry’s passing.
He was such a quiet, strong man. I always admired him.
Love to you all
Jane
Thoughts and prayers to the Russell family,so sorry I couldn’t make it to the service you all are in my heart and prayers.
Our prayers and sympathy go out to all the Russell family. Terry was always guick to ask about fishing or offer help on tying up fishing rods when I was in the store. A man of many great stories I really enjoyed listening to. Always a outstanding figure at the Wildcat BBQs along with other great events in the community . He will be missed
Dear Russell family,
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you always. “Mr. Russell”, as I used to always address him growing up, has always been one of the community icons I’ve remembered so well over the years. Like several others have stated, I too observed and respected always, his love and devotion to family, friends and to his communities. What an incredible life lived, and the memories we all share in that, hold us close in friendship and in our own lives. He was there for us in support with Boy Scouts, fishing & hunting advice, so, so many things…I had to open up my tackle boxes last night, both for fishing and archery, and there’s C&R Sporting Goods all over again (even still)l: Book of matches, bi-fold plastic window holder for my old licenses bought there, fishing lures, Browning nocks, field & hunting point packages…amazing memories. And I sure do remember that great smelling pipe tobacco too, coming by the shop sometimes or getting a haircut. I’m sure that we (Chuck Lindsay and I especially, David maybe, not so much) drove him crazy sometimes, when we’d come down to the shop and basically “hang out” but it was such a major commitment in our lives growing up. Had to see and copy the latest Fly patterns, after all…see the latest “stuff”! He was always so kind to us.
It’s hard to be away from Sedro-Woolley sometimes, even though my wife and I live closer now. This sure is one of those times…you all will be in our hearts. Lance & Jen Simshauser, Poulsbo, WA.
Today will be a difficult day, saying goodbye to an amazing man. Gary and I are so delighted to have called Terry (and Viv) very close friends. We hold close to our hearts all the fun trips and times we shared together.
Terry was such an amazing role model to all. The little flicker in his eyes when he spoke about Viv was heartwarming.
Our sincerest condolences are sent to the entire Russell family.
Gary and Linda
Mom and Dad were good friends with Terry and Vivian when I was a boy so I got to be around Terry quite a bit. He was simply a man a boy looked up to…a bit bigger than life. I loved the smell of his pipe smoke. I can remember going into C&R, which was exactly the kind of sporting goods store you wanted to be in as a boy, and Terry would be sitting at that little table, smoking his pipe, generally sitting with a friend and welcoming folks to the store. Later got to know Terry better in Rotary and he was one of the most giving people I’ve ever met. Never knew he served in WWII, wish I would have. Rest easy Terry.
My Grandpie was the kind of grandfather who you looked up to. When people made the connection that he was related to me it was an extra bit of respect because he was that good of a man. It is one of my greatest pleasures is to have known him for as long as I have. It is one of my biggest sadnesses that my son won’t grow up to know him. I admire the respect he had in his community, the devotion he had to his wife, the work ethic he had even in his pain filled later years, the humility to never boast or brag about himself, and the love he had from his entire family. When my time comes I can’t wait to ask him if I made him proud. I know he will be watching over me as well as the rest of his family. Rest in peace Grandpie, you earned it. I love you more than I can every say.
To the Russell Family – Moving to Skagit Valley in the summer of 1983 with two small boys from across the State of Washington was a significant transition for my little family. Fortunately, we quickly made many friends, some of whom we have maintained a relationship for the past thirty plus years. In 1988 I began my Rotary experience at which time I became acquainted with Terry; he was serving as our president at the time. During those days there were a number of very influential members, along with Terry, that significantly directed the work of the Club and contributed to the betterment of the community as well. What struck me and stood out about Terry, was not confined to his efforts to improve our community through the efforts of Rotary. I just valued so much his openness regarding his love for “Viv,” the depth of his commitment to his family at large, and his widespread appreciation for the natural abundance of what life has to offer, season after season. To this day, it brings a smile to my face when I recall the early days of the auction in the old Elks Club when Terry would be bidding on all of the silent food items, and when he would get so determined to buy Viv another piece of jewelry that he, at times, would actually bid against himself! . That’s determination and devotion! My tribute to Terry will be to try and model my behavior after the example he consistently displayed. My life is richer for knowing him!
Our love and prayers to all of the Russell family. Terry was a good friend, an honorable man. Chip will miss all his stories he shared at the barbershop. He had such love for his family, so proud of his children, and love for Vivian.
Terry gave so much to the community and to all those that knew him, he will be missed by all.
Vivian and Renee and all the rest of the extended family,
We are praying for you all as you go through this difficult time of loss.
God’s comfort and peace be with you as you share cherished memories
together and support one another.
I met Terry’s father along time ago. My grand mother was Mabel Warfield Good
There’s so much I want to say about Terry, and have a hard time finding the words.
He was a hell of a guy. A WWII veteran and avid sportsman who raised five children, owned and operated a saw mill and then later a sporting goods store, and was a legend in his community.
He was basically everything I have always looked at as the embodiment of what it means to be a good man. A provider, a protector, a role model. Great sense of humor and was proficient in his praise and guidance. An amazing storyteller, and a genuinely funny guy.
I’ll miss him a lot, but I’m glad he’s no longer in pain. He was sharp right up to the end, responsive and still quick with a joke up until the day he died, surrounded by his family that he loved so very deeply and openly.
May any of us live to be so lucky.
Wow, Terry was part of my youth. We always visited C&R to buys fishing eggs or red and white Dick-Nites for Clear Lake. Later in life when I joined Rotary is when I really got to know Terry. We were working on demolishing the museum storefront. Terry was swinging a 16# sledge all day long breaking bricks or whatever else got in his way. I stood on the roof in wonder of that man and how tough he was. I knew then, he was a bull of the woods. He will be missed by so many.
We are so sorry for your loss Stacey. Your dad was an awesome man and I have a lot of memories of him from C & R. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
You were, simply, a great man, dad. Thank you so much for sharing your spirit and honesty and love with all of us–for so many years. God you will be missed. David James Russell
On behalf of the Hamilton Cemetery Association we would like to express our sympathies to the Russell family for the lost of their beloved husband and father. His 25 plus years of dedication and service to the Hamilton Cemetery as president of the association are deeply appreciated. Terry was a kind and caring individual with a deep devotion to family and friends. He stood for all that mattered most in his country and in his community. A life well lived.