Russell “Russ” Charles Smith passed away peacefully on May 21, 2020 in his home surrounded by family. At the time of his death, 78 years old, Russ was still a full time employee at WinCo Foods Distribution Center, Woodburn, OR.
Russell was born February 11, 1942 to parents Russell Alonzo Smith and Fay Lamaria (MacRae) Smith in the family home at Whitman, MA. He was delivered by his father, as were all of his 7 siblings. He joined older sister Rae and was followed by siblings Georgianna, Sam, Garnet, Jack, Richard, Fay and nieces Cindy and Cathy who his parents raised as their own.
The family lived a very humble life in an old farmstead. The house was often filled with the aroma of his Dad’s homemade bread baking in the wood fired cook stove. Russell and his sisters would walk the neighborhood selling the loaves of homemade bread out of the big red Radio Flyer wagon they pulled. Russell left school at age 15 to go to work with his Dad for Jack Hemmings at Pioneer Landscaping Co. to help provide for their struggling family. In 1963, Russell married Julia Ann Tucker and they bought a small home across the street from his parents. Soon they welcomed two daughters, Leanna Marie and Julie Ann to their family. Following his divorce from Julia, Russell moved to Eastham, MA when boss, Jack Hemmings relocated Pioneer Landscaping to Cape Cod. There he met and married Cyndy MacPherson, they had two boys, Timothy and Eric. In 1977 the family of 6, loaded all their belongings in a homemade single axle trailer built by Russell and headed out for their 3000 mile journey to the wonders of Oregon. They tent camped in rest areas across the country, cooking on the tailgate of the station wagon. Within a week of arriving in Salem, Oregon, Russell began working for West Coast Grocery as a Truck Driver. With the exception of four years spent living in Mt Vernon, WA and a brief retirement, Russell was an exemplary 40 year employee of West Coast Grocery/SuperValue/Waremart and now WinCo Foods. That big red truck was Russ’s life, everything revolved around that red truck.
Russell loved cars, restoring and rebuilding them. His all-time favorite was a 1970 Chevelle SS Rat (454/400hp) forest green with wide white racing stripes and cowl induction hood that he ordered brand new off the assembly line. He also loved landscaping his home, helping others, but most of all he loved his family. His number one hobby was “caring for his family”, as was evident by every wall of his home being covered with 100’s of photos of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and relatives. If you knew Russ, you no doubt heard many of his funny stories, his big smile and his unique quirky laugh.
Russell was preceded in death by his oldest son Timothy Russell. His parents, Russell and Fay, and brothers Sam and Garnet. He is survived by daughters, Leanna, Julie and son Eric. Grandchildren; Mario (Rachel), Maria, Luis (Kala), Ofelia (Roy), Anna (Tim), Enrique, Taylor and Tage, as well as many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Siblings; Rae, Georgianna, Jack, Richard, Fay and nieces Cindy and Cathy.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hed-fh.com for the SMITH family.
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