Kenneth Clair Russell

Kenneth Clair Russell

On Saturday, March 9, 2013, Kenneth Clair Russell passed away at his home. He was born in Ogden, Utah on June 9, 1923, the second of six children to Edgar Walton and Mildred Hadlock Russell.

He learned to work hard at an early age, shoveling city sidewalks with a team of horses and working on the family farm. He attended Ogden City Schools starting in a chicken coop at Burch Creek Elementary and graduating from Ogden High School in 1942. His 15th and 16th summers were spent on a ranch in Stone, Idaho. He worked many years for the railroad, but spent most of his life selling insurance for Prudential and later sold cars for Hertz.

In 1942, Ken married Jean Speas and they had a real summer of "42" for 56 years. Ken served in the US Navy in the South Pacific aboard the USS Bolivar. Ken''s motto of, "Work Hard/Play Hard" served him well. You could always trust his word. Ken and Jean had a full life with their five children and close ties to relatives and many lifelong friends. They knew how to make and keep friends, how to laugh and have fun. Ken and his brothers built a house for their parents as well as helped each other build houses.

Ken and Jean loved to dance, ski, golf, snowmobile, fish, camp, travel and attend WSU basketball games. They loved their place at Bear Lake. Ken''s love of horses and family prompted him to found the Harrisville Jr. Posse. He also belonged to the Westerner''s Riding Club. Ken was a caring force for seven years after his wife''s illness, until her death in 1999. He was married to Corene Mcleod for a short time. Ken was a member of the B&B Coffee Club and the Elks.

Ken is survived by his two sons, Doug Ralph (Linda) Russell and Wayne Todd (Tina) Russell; three daughters, Bonnie Russell (Jack) Wahlen, Rita Russell (Jonathon) Gardner, and Gloria Russell (Gage) Froerer; brother, Boyd (Ralene) Russell; three sisters-in-law, Genevieve Russell, LaVon Russell and Marilyn Speas; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; infant son, Dale; parents, one sister, Verla Russell Shaw; and three brothers, Earl A. Russell, Raymond E. Russell and Don E. Russell.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.