Curtis S. Russell

BURLEY – Curtis Sheldon Russell, age 76, of Burley, died Thursday, April 6, 2017, at his home.

Curtis was born May 3, 1940, to Curtis G Russell and Rovena Hilling. He was married to Barbara E Scott of Bellingham, Washington, whom he met when he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Marietta, Washington. They were married until 1979. He then married MaryJo Lynn and remained married to her until her passing in 2013.

Curtis joined the U.S. Navy in 1959, where he served with distinction until 1979, when he retired as a Chief Petty Officer at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. He served aboard a variety of commands including the USS Bennington (CV-20), USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37), USS Twining (DD-540) and several shore commands, NAS Whidbey Island among them. In his long career and his variety of commands he proudly called himself a tin-can sailor and always had stories of his time aboard destroyers.

He enjoyed a second career working at the JR Simplot company until he retired from the security department in 2000.

He was a proud member of the Disabled American Veterans, Mini-Cassia Chapter, and volunteered in a variety of roles. He coordinated and provided transportation for veterans to and from V.A. facilities in Southern Idaho, including Twin Falls, Boise, and the Mini-Cassia area.

He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his grandkids, and his many dogs. He loved to travel and take road trips, although those decreased in the recent years.

He is survived by eight of his children, Eva Jean, Curtis, Scott, Carey, Benjamin, Julia, Suellen and Teresa; and one son preceded him in death, Sheldon Roy Russell, in 1985.

MaryJo, who preceded him in death, blessed Curtis with five step-children when they married in 1982. They are Bonnie Parker, Brenda Parker (who preceded him in death), Dan Parker, Cheryl Castro, and Margo Lynn.

A memorial service with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization will be held at 11 a.m. Wed., April 12, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley.