Michael John Russ

Michael John Russ was born 9-15-1952 to John Russ and Jean Russ. He had a twin brother, Paul Steven Russ. They were born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Arizona in 1957. Michael truly loved Phoenix and the warmth. Michael was raised Lutheran and attended Christ Church Lutheran until high school, where his mom was the church secretary.

Michael and his brother Paul went on to Scottsdale Community College and were the first class to attend the college that year. They were part of the group responsible for coming up with the Artichoke as the School Mascot. Michael did a few jobs before getting into automotive part sales.

He married Tina and they had their daughter Summer. Summer remembers watching episodes of Married with Children, on repeat with her dad, and they enjoyed a sarcastic banter as she got older. He never forgot a birthday and always found the best cards with the perfect birthday message.

Michael met and married his wife Dee Dee Magruder in 2015 through friends of AA. Michael didn’t like travelling much, but he disliked being away from Dee Dee even more. So he travelled with her whenever he could to be by her side.

Michael was sober for 20 years and loved going to meetings at Freedom Hall and Bellano where they had a community of friends and chaired meetings and was on the Board at FIRI.

He valued loyalty and doing the next right thing.

He used to love riding a motorcycle but decided as he got older that it was safer to be on 4 wheels.

Michael had a career working in sales at Factory Motor Parts for 26 years and retired almost 7 years ago.

Michael is survived by his wife Deanna (Dee Dee) Russ, her daughter Andrea Phillips, grandson Ryken, son William Phillips, grandson Raiden and granddaughter Kaela, his daughter Summer Haws, son in law Isaac Haws, granddaughter Alexis, grandson Levi and granddaughter Riley.

May he Rest in Peace