Russell Winston Mosser

Russell Winston Mosser, 82, passed away suddenly on June 3, 2024 in Portland, OR. He was born to Murray and Rita Mosser in Galveston, TX on May 1, 1942. He graduated from Camelback High School in Phoenix, AZ in 1960.

Russ attended the University of Colorado-Boulder. He graduated with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Marketing in 1965. During college he was the president of his fraternity, Sigma Chi. Russ met his best friend, Carol McAfee Mosser, while at college, and they married in August 1964.

Russ and Carol spent their early years together living in Cheyenne, WY, Denver, CO, and Albuquerque, NM. Russ began his career for the IBM Corporation as a Marketing Representative in Cheyenne.

Russ and Carol moved to Paradise Valley, AZ in 1974. Russ continued to work for IBM for a total of 30 years where he enjoyed a very successful career in sales and marketing. He worked as a Marketing Manager and as an Account Executive. Russ volunteered for the Town of Paradise Valley for more than 45 years. He served the town in a variety of positions including: Town Council Member (2 terms), Planning Commission (2 terms), Reserve Deputy (8 years), one of the original volunteers (V29) for the Paradise Valley Police Department (13 years), and Chair of the Police Retirement Board. Russ was instrumental in raising all of the private money and procuring exhibits for the Scottsdale, AZ McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and the 10,000 square foot model railroad building that houses four model railroad clubs, three layouts, and a variety of exhibits and hands-on amenities. Russ continued to be on the board of the Scottsdale Railroad & Mechanical Society until the time of his death. Russ was an active member of Paradise Valley United Methodist Church. During his time at PVUMC Russ served on the church council, traveled to New Orleans to clean up after Hurricane Katrina (4 times), and spearheaded the sponsoring of many refugee families to name a few areas of his involvement. He spent years assisting school children in reading programs, and joined with his son, Scott, and his daughter-in-law, Gigi, in support of their international medical missions. After moving to Portland, Oregon in 2021 to be closer to family, Russ served as the president of the Washington County Sheriff’s Foundation. In this role he was working hard to raise money for a new Search and Rescue Van for the Sheriff’s Department. The signature line of Russ’s email reads, “Service to others is the rent we pay for living on this planet.”

Over the course of their 60-year marriage, Russ and Carol were fortunate to travel to many places - Egypt, China, Tibet, Peru, Ecuador, the Philippines, Europe, and countless places across the US. The retirement years were a wonderful time of togetherness in the lives of Russ and Carol and their granddaughters. They spent as much time as possible traveling to Oregon and California to visit, play with, read to, and support in a variety of ways their 4 granddaughters who range in age from 3 to 21. Carol was the love of Russ’s life, but his children and grandchildren were very close seconds.

Russ is survived by Carol, his wife of 60 years; his daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Scott Beaton; his son and daughter-in-law Scott and Gigi; four granddaughters: Emily Beaton, Bridgette Beaton, Mayari, and Tala; six sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Chuck and MB McAfee, John and Susan McAfee, Mary and David Cole; five nieces: Julie McAfee, Justin McAfee, Erica McAfee, Lauren Cole, Lily Cole; two nephews: Kevin Cole, Brian Cole; and his cousin and wife: Lewis and Darcy Knight.

Russ was preceded in death by his nephew, Kyle McAfee.

Russ and his kind heart and generosity will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.

Russ’s Celebration of Life will be held at 2PM on Saturday, June 15th at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Beaverton, Oregon.

Memorial gifts can be given to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Foundation:

https://wcsofoundation.org

EIN: 93-1174901

P.O. Box 3281

Hillsboro, OR 97123

Please designate for the Search and Rescue Van.