Harry Charles Russell

Harry Charles Russell, “Handsome Harry”, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 29, 2026 surrounded by his family. Harry was born April 30, 1936 to John and Evelyn Russell in Riverside, California. He grew up in Grand Terrace, CA on his parent’s poultry farm. He attended Grand Terrace Elementary School and graduated from Colton Union High School in 1954. He was active in 4-H and was San Bernardino County 4-H All Star in 1954. The Russell family attended High Grove Methodist Church where Harry met the Preacher’s Daughter Meredith in 1952. April 7, 1956 they were married and lived in Grand Terrace for their first 6 months. They then moved to Carissa Plains in San Luis Obispo County and for the next 8 years lived and worked on the Beck Ranch. During their time there they had 3 of their 4 children. Their 4th child came along a few years after their move to Atascadero in 1964. For the next 35 years Harry worked for Lawson Products as a hardware salesman. He retired from Lawson products in 1998.

In 1965 they began worshiping at the Atascadero Gospel Chapel where they made countless lifelong friends and attended until their final days.

They enjoyed their 5th wheel travel trailer and became camp hosts for 6 summers in Arizona, Washington and California.

After Meredith’s passing in 2013 Harry connected with an old acquaintance, Francine Pryor and were together for 10 years until Francine’s passing in 2025.

In the final year of his life, Harry resided at the Oaks Assisted Living in Paso Robles where he stayed active and made many new friends. Harry never knew a stranger and loved to talk to anyone, anywhere. He always had a kind word, a joke to share and was loved by many.

Harry is survived by son Derle (Loretta) Russell of Paso Robles, daughters Maya VanDiepen of Los Osos, Pamela (Clint) Ludeman of Morgan Hill, Vikki (Kirk) Bullard of Paso Robles and adopted daughter Taunie (Chris) Seaberg of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. 12 grandchildren, Joy, Jessica, Christopher, Luke, Pamela, Liane, Kaitlin, Kari, Clinton, Johnathon, Evie and Emma and 13 great grandchildren, Maddie, Marissa, Josie, Ami, Abigail, Isaac, Mila, Kennedy, Cooper, Casey, Bailey, Clay and August.

Join us as we celebrate the incredible life, spirit, and legacy of Handsome Harry April 18, 2026 at 1 pm at the Atascadero Gospel Chapel.