Jesse Augustus Russell

1916-2002

 

Jesse was born to Theron and Gertrude, the first of five children. As a baby and toddler, he spent lots of time with his grandfather, Augustus. His grandpa seemed to favor him. He would help feed the chickens and little chores with him.

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Soon after Jesse's grandparents died, their whole family got sick with the Spanish flu, including him. It was a hard time for all. There family lived off and on the farms as he grew up.

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Jesse went to high school in Monmouth. By the time, he graduated, his father had come up with a new idea of income; to build a huge swimming tank. Jesse came home to help. His  brother, Duran, dropped out of high school to help. Theron's nephew, Delton helped build as well. It became a huge success.

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Jesse married Mary Ruth Moore on June 20, 1937 in Albany, with Jess’ grandfather (Mr. McClain) performing the ceremony, at the Moore’s home. They were married over 54 years.

 

Within a couple of years, Jesse's father sold the swimming tank which afforded them a good farm and nice house. Soon after that, his father passed away.

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In 1940, they had their first child, Betty Lou. 

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They moved to Portland in 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, and lived in the Multnomah area for fifty-two years. In 1945, the had their second child, Dennis. 

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Jesse was tranferred to Japan in the military to help with the rebuild. He got back home around 1947 and in 1949, they had their third child, Beverly Kay.

 

 Jesse worked as a machinist.

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Jesse and Ruth were both active in the church. Ruth was baptized at the Multnomah (now West Hills) Christian Church as a young mother, and had members of the Burlingame Baptist Church for 37 years.

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Ruth died on April 16, 1992 at the age of seventy-four in Portland. 

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from Sue Russell:

"Jess and Ruth were best friends with Robert and Doris Dickhart at Burlingame Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon.
"Doris’s husband died on April 13, 1992. Ruth died 3 days later (heart attack) on April 16, 1992. It was a shock to all of us!  Jess and Doris were especially grieving their losses. Doris was not well, so Jess helped her with shopping, doctor appointments, taking care of the house/yard, etc. A year later he decided to sell his house, marry Doris and move to her house.

"Jess passed away in 2003, and is buried in the same crypt with Ruth. Doris then went to live with her daughter in California where she died six years later and she is buried next to Bob."