Donald Ray Russell
August 3, 1955 ~ April 6, 2021
Donald Ray Russell passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2021 at his home, preparing to pursue one of his life passions and teach skiing.
He was born on August 3, 1955 in Ogden, UT. He grew up in the mouth of Ogden Canyon and loved to play in the foothills. If you could smell a skunk, tomato juice would be waiting for him on the back porch because it was sure to have been sprayed. He graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1973. Don then served an LDS mission in the Spokane Washington / Coeur d’Alene Idaho area where he made lifelong companions.
Don’s life was full of passion. He was an excellent salesman because he wholeheartedly believed in everything he did. He sold everything from tires to houses. If you’ve ever bought one from him, you know it is true.
He loved the outdoors. He drove for 6 years in the Weber Country Mounted Sheriff’s Posse. Which helped with search and rescue, parades and rodeo entertainment.
He was president of the Ogden 4×4 Club. Don shared his love for skiing with others through teaching. He was a member of the PSIA ski organization for 40 years. He taught most of the time in Deer Valley, but was also director of Nordic Valley, led the children’s program in Powder Mountain and most recently taught in Snowbasin.
He always taught. He taught his children to love horses, camping, skiing and life as much as he did. He was also a firm believer in setting a good example. He overcame many obstacles in his life including near death experiences and alcoholism. He had sobriety for 17 years. Don spent those years in the addiction / recovery programs helping others on their journey to sobriety.
He had three previous marriages before getting married and later sealed for Terri and her (who became his) daughter, Abby. All of his passions and experiences increased his spirituality. He loved being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and His Savior.
His greatest passions in life were his children and grandchildren. He was happiest hanging out with them. He loved to tease and make others laugh. Knowing him and being accepted by him meant that you were family.
Don was preceded in death by his mother, LaVon Johnson Russell; Father Raymond Edgar Russell; Brother John Walton Russell. He is survived by his wife Terri Lain Russell; Son Jared (Jessica) Russell; Daughters, ShaNae (Zack) Blaisdell, Amy (Kevin) Coleman, Abby (Celts) Christensen, Aerena (Justin) Lord, Andrea Lain and Angela (Paul) Bonser-Lain; Sisters, Gail (Doug) McNeely, Cheryl (Lyman) Stoker, Ann (Bruce) Cheney, and LaRae (Warren) Russell; Brother Shawn (Jaime) Russell; 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
The funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Lindquists North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N. Washington Blvd. instead of. Friends and family can visit the morgue on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Burial, Lindquists Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.
The services are streamed live and are available by scrolling to the bottom of Don’s obituary.
Published by Lindquist Mortuary – North Ogden April 8-9, 2021.
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