Clyde Bannister Russell

Clyde Bannister Russell, 81, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2015, in Kaysville, Utah, after a lifetime of faith and service.  Born on December 5, 1933 in Oakland, California, to Clyde Arthur and Mary Bannister Russell, his cheerful enthusiasm for life and his genuine interest in others touched all who knew him. Clyde lifted hearts every day. In his youth he loved playing the piano and accordion, and camping in Yosemite with his family. It was during a bus commute to a summer job in San Francisco at age 17, that he read the entire Book of Mormon and reflected, “the words sank deeply into my soul.” In February 1956 Clyde attended a Berkley Stake youth chorus practice, where he found the choir director’s smile “absolutely captivating.” The choir director was Catherine Nielson, and six weeks later, they were engaged. After serving simultaneous missions (Clyde to England and Catherine to New England), they were married in the Manti Temple on August 16, 1958.  Clyde’s life-long devotion to his wife was tender and exemplary. After living in Fremont, California, South Bend, Indiana, and Provo, Utah, Clyde and Cathie settled in Santa Rosa, California. Their four children loved “daddy’s make-up stories,” family breakfast-picnics, Yosemite trips, backpacking adventures, and musical evenings in four-part harmony. Theirs was a home of work, play, creative Gospel lessons, and an unusual amount of hugs. Clyde had a passion for both learning and teaching. With two Masters degrees in Education and Mathematics, he “made math come alive” in his Santa Rosa Junior College classrooms. During his career he wrote two textbooks, and watched the field advance from slide-rules to PCs — even building a small computer from scratch along the way. Clyde’s good humor and listening ear were legendary.  When someone had concerns about another person, he replied, “Be patient, they’re not cooked yet.” His advice during a difficult challenge was to “just be humble.” His counsel to his posterity: “Remember to pray night and morning and read the Book of Mormon every day, and you’ll be okay.”  A missionary up until the last hour of his life, friends and acquaintances knew Clyde as a “very intelligent and gentle soul” who “left a legacy of love and happiness.” Clyde is preceded in death by his twin infant sons, his sister Lois (Lewis) Shurtleff, and his brother Don Russell. He is survived by his wife Catherine Nielson Russell, children Laura Russell (Steve) Bunker, Jeannette Russell (Michael) Singleton, Jared Russell (Norma), and Mary Sue (Doug) Willden,  21 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, his sisters Irene (William) Berg and Joan (Richard) Stam, and many dear nieces and nephews. Heartfelt thanks to Bonnie, Ken, and Carol of Legacy Hospice, for their tender caregiving. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Kaysville Gailey Park Ward chapel (350 S. 50 W.). Friends may visit with the family at Russon Brothers Mortuary (1941 N Main, Farmington) on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and again on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Gailey Park Ward before the funeral.  Interment will follow at the Kaysville City Cemetery.