Paul Russell

Paul Alexander Russell, 86, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2022 in Provo, Utah.  He was the youngest of four children born to Baldwin Lee and Lorraine Izetta Paul Russell on May 1st, 1935 in Huntington Park, California.  He married Janice Helen Hays on April 15th, 1955.  They were married for over 66 years before his passing.  Together they raised five children: Cheryl (Darrell) Huff, Bradford (Joanne) Russell, Michelle Russell, Randal (Jennifer, deceased) (Sharon) Russell, Richard (Julie) Russell and Ambrose (Meg) Yazzie who became part of their family through a Native American placement program.

In his youth, he overcame polio when he was in the 9th grade and went on to play football at South Gate High School. He enjoyed the outdoors, running, camping, hiking, and serving in the local Boy Scout troop. He helped all three of his sons achieve their Eagle Scout awards.

Paul was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in June of 1961 with his wife. They and their children were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple for time and all eternity on September 29th, 1962.

Paul served in many capacities within the church including Bishop of the Vista 3rd Ward and in the Stake Presidency of the Vista California Stake.  He also served on the San Diego Temple Building Committee and helped coordinate the construction process for the San Diego Temple as well as the temple open house and dedication in 1993.  He served in both the San Diego and Provo temples as an ordinance worker for many years.

He worked for GC Electronics as a factory sales representative for over 30 years.  He called on customers all over Southern California.  He was so honest and dependable as a sales rep that his customers fully trusted him with maintaining their inventory levels for them.

Paul was a faithful and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He made many sacrifices on behalf of his family members, friends and neighbors.  He lived a life in the service of his fellowmen.  He will be dearly missed by all.

Paul leaves behind a posterity of 40 grandchildren and 72 great-grandchildren with more on the way. He was proceeded in death by his parents, older brother, Richard (Dorothea) Russell, and two sisters and their spouses: Barbara (Jack) Coy, Margaret (Steve) Jones.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 31 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel on 1600 North 1880 West, Provo, Utah. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

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