George P. Russell

Tehama County Supervisor George Russell's life was one of service, commitment and compassion. On the 26th of September 2012, at the age of 80, George Phillip Russell passed away peacefully at his home in Red Bluff, CA, surrounded by all those who loved him deeply. An only child, George was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1932, in Independence, Missouri. It was a portent of the patriotic and public service to come. At the young age of 14 he falsified his age and managed to enlist in the United States Army to serve his country. He was sent to Italy to replace WWII soldiers during the occupation. When his real age was discovered two years later he was sent home. At that time he was told by a recruiter that in order to correct the false information about his age, he needed to re-enlist, which he did at the age of 18. Upon his discharge he attended Vallejo Junior College. Afterward he went to Sacramento State University where he received his Bachelor of Education degree. For a few short years George taught school in Garden Grove before pursuing his Master of Education degree at the University of Southern California. Afterward he found himself as principal in Garden Grove, CA. He subsequently moved to Eureka, CA, and again held the position of principal, this time for both the adult and elementary schools. However, Pacific Grove beckoned and George became the Assistant Superintendent of the Pacific Grove School District. In the mid 1970's George moved to Red Bluff, the city he would call home for the rest of his life. His initial employment was Superintendent of the Red Bluff Union Elementary School District, a position he served in from 1975 to 1991. George loved helping people, whatever the age. Facilitating the education of the youth of the community he took immense pride in brought him immeasurable joy. But it was not time for George to step back from serving the people he cared about. In 1996 during a recall election, he was elected to serve on the Tehama County Board of Supervisors. This past June he was again reelected, and had begun to serve his fifth (4) year term in office. His valuable input and experience on the Board will be sorely missed by the people of District 2 that he represented, as well as many other residents of Tehama County. George is survived by his beloved wife Sharon L. Russell and her son Milan Sikela; three (3) cherished children and their spouses, Kathie Stevenson, Linda and Steve Stanley, Robert and Jessica Russell; seven (7) adored grandchildren and their spouses, Kilene and Bill Brosseau, Brett Stevenson, Forrest and Julie Stanley, Cameron Stanley and Hali Gonzalez, Harrison and Dani Stanley, Renata Russell, and Alison Russell; and five (5) treasured great-grandchildren, Brody Brosseau, Ansley Brosseau, Shaeley Brosseau, Ethan Stanley and Isla Stanley. A quiet considerate man, George always had kind word to say. He lived his life with passion and compassion, his presence affecting the many lives he touched over the years. An avid golfer and reader of history, George was never at a loss to tell an amusing anecdote or interesting tidbit. A lover of jokes, he maintained his sense of humor through everything. He adored traveling and relished visiting the places he often read about. And while George's rich life would still seem too short to many, to all those he touched throughout his years his quality of existence far exceeded any quantity of time he spent with us. In observance of George's love of animals and to honor his request, any Memorial donations considered are to be made to P.E.T.S. (Providing Essentials to Tehama Shelter), P.O. Box 1174, Red Bluff, CA 96080.