Philip Ray Russell

Phil Russell of Walla Walla passed away on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at his cabin in the Blue Mountains. Phil was born Jan. 30, 1931, to Don and Winnie Russell in the town of Dayton, where he graduated from high school in 1949.

Phil was married to the love of his life, Marilyn on June 2, 1949, at the Russell cabin up Wolf Fork on the Touchet River. They have lived in and around the Walla Walla area ever since and have raised their three active boys, Dick, Lance and Randy here. Phil worked at the Russell Paint Store in Dayton, the Schwerin Farms and Western Farm Services in Clyde, Washington, where he retired after 30 years as manager. Phil had many interests and hobbies throughout his life including hunting, boating, square dancing, snowmobiling and restoring Model A’s and is known as Mr. Model A to many in the valley.

Phil also belonged to the Tollgate Trail Finders, Skyline Snowmobile Club and Oregon State Snowmobile Association. The Prescott Lions, the Dixie Grange, Dayton Yacht Club, NRA, Hi-Steppers Square Dancers, Walla Walla Historic Auto Club, Sweet A’s Model A Club, the Walla Walla and Waitsburg Gun Clubs and the Walla Walla Sports Council.

Phil and Marilyn loved to travel with some of their destinations being the San Juan Islands, the East Coast, Alaska, British Columbia, snowmobiling in Yellow Stone Park, their summer home in Long Beach, Washington and a cruise to Mexico they took with two of their grandchildren, but their favorite destination was their cabin at Tollgate.

Phil was preceded in death by his infant sister, Donna Lee; brother, Max; sister-in-law, Gene Russell; and his parents. Phil is survived by his wife, Marilyn, at their home; sons, Richard (Sandy), Lance (Kate) and Randy (Teresa); brothers, Kenneth and Hubert (Lois); grandchildren, Nick (Andrea) Russell, Kody (Matt) Bliven, Chris Russell, Troy (Christi) Russell, John (Mischelle) Russell; great-grandchildren, Sarah and Garrett Russell, Conner and Madison Russell, Mackenzie and Keaton Bliven, Karson Warner-Russell.

The family would like to send a special and heartfelt thank you to Phil and Marilyn’s friends who assisted at the cabin on that afternoon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Seattle Children’s Hospital, St. Judes Children’s Hospital or to a charity of the donor’s choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at 11 a.m., at the College Place Presbyterian Church with Rev. Skip Pritchard officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens in College Place.