Francis Earl Russell

The Lord opened the gates of Heaven for Francis Earl Russell, 87, of Ferndale WA, on Friday, May 3, 2013. Francis was born in Custer, WA, on April 8, 1926, to Floyd and Alice (LaFond) Russell. He grew up during the depression years and often talked of how his family was able to provide for each other. Francis attended Grandview School and Custer High until joining the US Navy in 1942. He proudly served as a crewmember on the USS Alabama BB60 from 1942 to 1946, when WWII ended and remained a current member of the USS Alabama Crewmembers Association. Upon returning from the war, he worked on the family farm on Valley View Rd, until joining the City of Ferndale in 1951, until 1962. Francis then worked for Intalco as a millwright until his retirement in 1988. Many of you may remember him as the owner of Russ’s Fishing Supplies in Ferndale, selling bait and fishing tackle from his garage near the Nooksack River. Francis was a 66 year life and charter member of the Streets-Pike Post #9474, V.F.W. of Custer, where he was a Quartermaster for over 50 years, Blaine Post #86, American Legion, and a Ferndale Volunteer Firefighter for 26 years. Francis was a consummate family man. He loved watching his family grow through the years, and was very proud of them all. Having been a man of few words when it came to expressing feelings, if he bought you a bag of groceries, you knew you were loved. Francis was also an avid fisherman and once caught a 49 lb King salmon out of the Nooksack. He enjoyed clam digging at Birch Bay, one of his favorite places, and watching the Mariners on TV, no matter how painful. Francis was preceded in death by his parents, brother’s Clarence, Leonard, Lester, Vern and sister Vivian Honrud. He is survived by his wife Mary of 61 years (62 years on June 15), of the family home; children Gary (Becky), Greg, Barbara (David) Johnson, Dean (Dawn), Shawn (Barbara), all of Ferndale, and Lynette (Craig) Caswell, of Oak Park, IL; grandchildren Ben and Joe Russell, Kyle (Christy) Johnson, Courtney Johnson Burnett and Kara Johnson, Corey (Michelle), Casey and Jessica Russell, Kevin and Trevor Caswell; great grandchildren Mariah and Aubrey Burnett, and Elle Johnson, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Dr Larry Moss, Dr Stephen Lewis, the nurses in the SSU at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, and the Whatcom Hospice for their kind efforts. Memorial Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Ferndale Volunteer Firefighter Assn, PO Box 1599, Ferndale WA 98248, and Whatcom Hospice, 2800 Douglas Ave, Bellingham WA 98225. Visitation hours are scheduled Wednesday, May 8, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Sig’s Funeral Services, 809 W. Orchard Dr., Bellingham. Graveside services will be conducted with Military Honors Thursday, May 9, 1:00 pm in Enterprise Cemetery, 7041 Vista Dr. Ferndale. A reception following at the Correll Park Clubhouse, Correll Drive, Ferndale, from 3 to 5 pm.