The Russell CollectionS
William, Jason Hubbard, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jesse, Augustus, Archibald
Forrest Augustus Russell
1921 - 1994
Profile/Bio
Occupations:
1940: Apple Picker (re: Federal Census)
1944: Attendants, filling stations and parking lots (re:War Enlistments)
1944-46: Army under General Patton's 89th and in Battle of the Bulge
Carpenter
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Education:
Beaverton High School
Lyle High School, Class of 1939 as class valedictorian
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Associations, Clubs, Charities:
Carpenter's Union, Local 1715
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Medical:
Forrest,
Blue eyes, Blonde hair, Light complexion, 6'
bladder Cancer
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Religious Affiliation:
Wesleyan Church
FORREST AUGUSTUS RUSSELL
By Irma Collins and Alma Dobra July 1994
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Forrest Augustus Russell was born on January 22, 1921 to Arch and Cora Russell in Grass Valley, Oregon. They were so happy to have another boy as they had lost three infant sons already. Forrest had an older brother, Deston, and two older sisters, Lois and Greta. There would eventually be eight children in the family: Avery, twins-Alma and Irma, and twins-Benjamin (Bennie) and Robert. Robert died at six months of age from pneumonia.
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They were a happy family, attended church regularly and enjoyed special occasions when relatives came to visit, especially on the 4th of July and Thanksgiving.
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Several of Arch’s brothers would come to help during the wheat harvest and Cora’s father Benjamin Dougherty was there to help whenever he could.
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Arch and Cora lost their 2,000 acre wheat ranch in Grass Valley during the depression nd after living on a small farm for about three years in Grass Valley, they moved to Klickitat Heights near Lyle, Washington.
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Forrest attended school at Lyle for a time. He lived with Lois and Clifford Macy in Beaverton for a year and went to Beaverton High School. It was then that he met Anita’s brother Don, who introduced him to Anita. He graduated from Lyle High School in 1939 as class valedictorian.
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Forrest picked apples in Yakima, Washington for awhile. He also took a correspondence course in fingerprinting, thinking that he would like to be a detective. He had no desire to be a farmer, so went to Portland to work. During this time, he and Anita Widing were married on December 31, 1943.
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Forrest entered the Army during World War II in April 1944. He served in the European Theater under General Patton’s 89th Division. He was in the Battle of the Bulge. He was in the service until June 1946. We thank the Lord that he made it home. Many men and women gave their lives for their country.
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Forrest and Anita lived in Oregon after the war. After awhile, they moved to Hazel Dell, Washington near Vancouver where they have made their home ever since. They were members of the Wesleyan Church of Vancouver, Washington. Forrest was a carpenter for the Port of Vancouver for a time, and then was self-employed as a carpenter. They have four children, Forrest Lewis, Edward Eugene, Lorraine, Wilma Sandstrom, and Marvin Leroy, thirteen grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Forrest had cancer for the last two years of his life and passed away on July 3, 1994. He is buried in North wood Park Cemetery in Vancouver, Washington.
Obituary:
A retired carpenter for the Port of Vancouver in Washington State, Forrest A. Russell, 73, died at home Sunday, July 3, 1994, of cancer. He had lived in Vancouver, Washington for the past 42 years.
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Born January 22, 1921, in Grass Valley, Oregon, Mr. Russell attended Wesleyan Church in Vancouver, Washington. He was a member of the Carpenter's Union, Local 1715, of Vancouver, Washington. He enjoyed working with wood and enjoyed people.
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Survivors include his wife, Anita A., at home; one daughter, Lorraine W. Sandstrom of Camas, Washington; three sons, Forrest L. of Vancouver, Washington, Edward E. of Hollister, California, and Marvin L. of Everett, Washington; one brother, Benjamin of Salem, Oregon; four sisters, Greta Watts of Duncanville, Texas, Lois Macy and Alma Dobra, both of Hillsboro, Oregon and Irma Collins of Washougal, Washington; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Forrest A. Russell was born January 22, 1921 in Grass Valley, Oregon.
In 1939, he graduated from Lyle Union High School as class valedictorian.
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On December 31, 1943, he and Anita A. Widing were married. From this union came four children, thirteen grandchildren and on and a half great grandchildren so far.
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He was inducted into the US Army early in 1944 and was assigned to the 89th Division and was part of Patton’s spearhead through France and into Germany. His unit was among the first to cross the Rhine River at Bingen. He was very proud of this because he lived near Bingen, Washington. The towns were sister cities. After the Second World War, he remained in Europe with the Army of Occupation. In mid 1946 he was honorably discharged from the military service.
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Dad was a jack of trades and master of some. Most of all he was proud to have been a carpenter. The fruits of his labors will remain for many decades into the future.
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We shall all greatly miss his helping hands and the years of experience that he shared with us, whether it was working on a car, or a house, or just giving quiet thoughtful advice. Sometimes dad would help in ways that no one ever asked or even knew about, like closing a gate that he found open or putting someone’s cow back in the pasture, without ever mentioning it or seeking thanks. Dad always believed that we live by our example and deeds, words can sometimes be hollow.
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Dad was very special man. He was good a grandfather to all the grandchildren and a special Grandad for some.
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Each of us will remember different things about Dad. A few I will always remember are:
He always had the patience of Job.
His willingness to offer help to anyone in need.
He enjoyed each day, even the rainy ones.
He taught us to fish, not just to catch them, but to enjoy the time together and enjoy nature.
As children, we didn’t appreciate how hard he worked to provide for his family, until we had our own.
He always gave of himself and never asked for anything in return. Because of this, his return was ten fold?
He loved his wife and family, his wor, his clocks, and all the time he was given on earth. Dad was never idle.
He always oped that somehow he could make a difference. Well, he DID to us? And we hope to everyone whose path his life has crossed.
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We will always love and miss him, but most of all, we will ALWAYS remember him.
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This was written by Forrest L. Russell. He delivered it at his father’s memorial service on July 7, 1994
Forrest Augustus Russell
from Marvin Russell's photos
Forrest and Anita and the windmill was used to pump water. Their home had cold water piped to the house and hot water heated from piping on the side of their stove. This is Arch and Coras home in Klickitat Heights
from Wallace Russell
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Back: Forrest, Anita
Middle row: Marvin, Lorraine
Front: Forrest, Jr and Edward
from Marvin's photos
Forest and Anita at Klickitat Heights.
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Ben, Avery, Forrest
from Marvin's photos
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from Marvin's photos
