Grant Russell

Biography

Our kind and loving father, grandfather and friend, Grant Lewis Russell, age 85, passed away peacefully of natural causes on December 17, 2012, and was reunited with his eternal companion Elaine. Although we are saddened and will miss him dearly, we are so happy for him that he has been welcomed into our Heavenly Father’s arms and relieved of his earthy pain.

Grant was born on December 19, 1926 in Ogden, Utah, the son of Jessie Lewis and Eva Marie Forrest Russell. He married his sweetheart and eternal companion Elaine Syme in 1952 and they were happily married for 56 years before she passed away in 2008. Grant served in the United States Army Air Corps in 1945-47 and proudly played in the 314th Army Special Services Band that toured Europe with Tony Bennett. He loved music, taught music and played in several dance bands in the Ogden area. He loved playing and listening to big band music and recently enjoyed playing saxophone with Junction City Big Band. The past couple of years, even with his failing health, he played his saxophone in programs for the residents of Mountain Ridge Assisted Living where he lived. Grant graduated from the University of Utah with his bachelor’s degree in Music and from Utah State University with a master’s degree in Education. He had a distinguished teaching career in the Weber County Schools for more than 40 years where he had a great influence on the lives of hundreds of students. Mr. Russell always had a love for teaching and made his students enjoy learning through music. He had a keen sense of humor and always had a joke to tell.

Grant was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had many callings. He served with his wife Elaine as a service missionary at the Morgan Utah Family History Center.

Grant is survived by his children Scott Lewis Russell (Karen) and Ronald George Russell (Kathleen, deceased); grandchildren Clayton Scott Russell (Becca), Morgan Berrett Russell Polityka (Matt), Halsey Logan Russell, Parker Joseph Russell (Whitney), Tyler Grant Russell (Hillary), Taryn Leigh Russell Tolman (Nathan) and Christopher Michael Russell; great grandchildren Emily Ann Russell, Madeline Rose Russell, Cameron Parker Russell, Courtney Elaine Russell, Cody Ronald Russell, Leighton Emery Polityka, Tailyn Jayde Russell, Jazzlyn Stockton Russell; sisters Elaine Russell Stephens, Maxine Russell Higdon, and Kay Russell Morris; and other extended family. His parents and his Sister Belva Russell Noorda preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be Saturday December 22, 2008 at 11:00 am, at the Mountain Green Ward, 5378 W. Old Highway Road Mountain Green, Utah. Friends may call on Friday December 21, 2012 from 7:00-8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah or on Saturday at the church in Mountain Green one hour prior to the funeral services. Interment will follow the funeral at the Peterson Cemetery.

Funeral Service

Saturday December 22, 2012, 11:00 at Mountain Green Ward
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Funeral services will be Saturday December 22, 2008 at 11:00 am, at the Mountain Green Ward, 5378 W. Old Highway Road Mountain Green, Utah. Friends may call on Friday December 21, 2012 from 7:00-8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah or on Saturday at the church in Mountain Green one hour prior to the funeral services. Interment will follow the funeral at the Peterson Cemetery.