Lifelong Fresno resident, Russell Neal Fortner, 65, passed peacefully in his childhood home on Thursday, November 14th, 2024. Born to Rachel and Wilbur Fortner on October 11, 1959, Fresno, California, Russ always found family and adventure in his hometown. As the second oldest in his family of four siblings, Russ was no stranger to mischief among his friends or with his older brother, Howard. But true to his nature, he never wavered from his responsibilities at home or in life.
From an early age, Russ excelled in his schooling. A charming and brave boy, Russ never shied from meeting new people and forming life-long connections. Russ was active in sports and enjoyed family adventures across California and the United States. Whether it be Pop Warner football, camping out in the woods, traversing the Tetons, or just enjoying a day of fishing with his pop, Russ was a pleasure to have around, facing challenges or tackling down an Edison rival. However, through his many adventures, his responsibility to his family never wavered and always strived to give one hundred and ten percent to anything he set himself to. He believed in the value of hard work and self-improvement and lived those values throughout his life.
Russ graduated from Bullard High School in 1977 and attended Fresno City College shortly after in 1978, graduating with an Associate's of Science in Electronic Technology in May of 1984. As a young man, he worked many odd jobs before working as a draftsman for his father's electrical engineering company and most notably as a butcher and manager for his department at Hestbeck's Market, an eighteen year career that earned him the name "Da Butch." It was during his time at Hestbeck's that he met the love of his life, Michelle. The two became inseparable and cemented their union on April 14, 2000, a date he would forever hold close in his heart. Russ never stopped pursuing bigger and better things to create a better life for himself and for the new family he was building at home, but always left time for those who mattered most. With an established career in computer systems technology, Russ and Michelle expanded their family with their eldest, Jason, in 2003 and their youngest, Benjamin, in 2004.
Though his professional career was cut short, Russ never stopped providing for his family and started a new job as a stay-at-home dad. He was a loving and supporting father and husband, catering to every need. Any chance he could find, Russ would spend with his family. Taking his boys to school was always the highlight of his day. He was always there to celebrate his family's accomplishments and every extra-curricular activity, even if it meant sitting in a parking lot for an hour to pick his kids up from school. Russ was a special kind of guy, one found far too few of in this world. His kindness and love will stay in the hearts that he graced forever.
Russell is survived by his loving wife Michelle, and their two sons, Jason and Benjamin; his favorite brother, Howard, and sister-in-law, Paula Borgfeldt; sister and brother-in-law, Melissa and Peter Padgett; nephews, Seth and Cole Padgett; and mother, Rachel Inderbitzen. He is preceded in death by his sister, Karen von Nordheim (2022); father, Wilbur Fortner (1988), his two best pups, Wally and Blackjack; and his brother from another mother, Leonard Olivieri, and many other family members lost too soon. A viewing will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns, and Blair Funeral Home on Monday, November 25, 2024. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns, and Blair Funeral Home.
