Otis Russell Obituary

Otis Christopher Russell, 85, of Woodland Park, passed away peacefully in the early hours of June 13, 2010 from complications related to COPD (lung disease). Born June 11, 1925 in Perks, Illinois, the oldest of seven children born to Otis and Iva Mae Russell, he spent his childhood years in Ft. Wayne, Indiana until enlisting in the US Air Force. He later finished college and became an officer, piloting C-130 aircraft during the Korean War and following. Otis and his young wife, Alma (Morton), became the parents of four children. At the end of his Air Force career, the family settled in Denver. Otis went on to work seventeen years for the State of Colorado Civil Rights Division. Alma, the mother of their children, passed away in 1989. Otis enjoyed square and round dancing for many years. He was a local round dance cuer until recently and remained active in local clubs despite his illness. Otis is survived by a son, Steven (Yolanda) Russell of Denver; three daughters, Denise Smith, Tonie Asher, and Paula (Kim) Bryant, all of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area; eight grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Bonnie (Tom) Webb in Ft. Wayne and brother Bill (Pearl) Russell of Milwaukee. Other family members include his wife's children: Todd (April) Ellingson, Johnstown, CO. and Mandy (Jeryl) Godshall, Colorado Springs, and four grandchildren. His wife, Nancy, resides in Woodland Park and wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Kurt and Molly Wever of Cripple Creek and to the entire staff of Pikes Peak Regional Hospital in Woodland Park for their extraordinary care and support. Thanks also to all of you, friends and family, who have made a difference in our lives. A private family service will be held at the time of inurnment at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. No local services are planned. The Russell family may be addressed at PO Box 5509, Woodland Park, CO 80866-5509.