Mark Aubrey Russell
April 3, 1954 – August 7, 2014
Even when Mark was young, weekends were spent outdoors, always fishing, and camping whenever possible. Mark started out small, and his first try with a shotgun knocked him backward to the ground. In elementary school, the small town of La Jara was the battlefield for the neighborhood army games, the old High School Gym was Boy Scout headquarters and Main Street was where virtually everyone in town gathered every Saturday for the Town Drawing where you knew you would see all of your friends as housewives, men and kids gathered. Community was everything to the town’s citizens, and Mark always fit right in.
He helped with the local Volunteer Fire Department and always was ready to go with his father to do maintenance work on the San Luis Valley TV transmitter on top of San Antonio Mountain.
While both of his brothers were always focused on serious pursuits, Mark was always enjoying himself outdoors, and was always bringing laughter to the family.
He left the Valley for awhile when he served in the Navy, standing at the helm of a Navy Destroyer as the only helmsman on his ship qualified to steer through typhoons.
The San Luis Valley called him home, where again, he managed to reach out and touch so many people. Always ready to make a new friend and to help anyone in need, Mark always had a smile and a warm welcome for those he met at work. He thoroughly enjoyed working, as long as he had contact with people, and those he worked with could always count on him when they were in need or especially if they wanted to go fishing.
Mark’s life changed forever quite dramatically twice after those earlier carefree days. The first time was after he started his family. He became one of the most devoted fathers ever. As you can imagine, every one of his son’s knows how to fish, camp and hunt.
Mark was always a supportive father, and his son’s choice of diverse professions reflects Mark’s support of their own individual goals. He supported his eldest son Mark through many years of Medical School, his middle son Derek through to a career in heavy Diesel Mechanics, starting with the first Volkswagen he tore apart and rebuilt before he was even in High School. It came as no surprise to Mark when his son Nathan chose a college path in Physical Therapy, as Mark always encouraged him to observe people so closely, helping him develop a sixth sense of the feelings and needs of those around him.
The other dramatic change in Mark’s life was when he met Lucille, the love of his life. Without hesitation Mark welcomed Lucille and her own children to become a part of his own family and to introduce Christ and the church into his life. She brought a peace and contentment to his life that everyone could sense and which gave his life a clear path for the last twenty-one years.
Of course dozens of friends were always ready to accompany him on a fishing trip, his closest friend Patrick Rheaume made sure that he never passed up an opportunity to try to leave this life as the most successful fishing team in Colorado. Even as Mark’s medication prevented him from getting out in the sunshine, Pat was able to help Mark with one or two early evening fishing trips up to two weeks before he passed.
As Mark fought this 3 year battle with cancer, there has been a constant parade of people visiting daily, offering support assistance and companionship, reflecting how deeply Mark entered the hearts of friends and Valley citizens.
Mark was happy and positive, literally never complaining even when you could see his pain, and he was strong enough to be independent and supportive of his family up through his very last few days.
Mark is survived by his three sons, Mark S. Russell (wife Rachel) of Atlanta, Georgia, Derek Russell (Wife Angie) of Brethoud, Colorado and Nathan Russell of Alamosa Colorado, also his two brothers Dale Russell (wife, Penny) of Blue Springs, Missouri and Ken Russell of Longmont, Colorado, his twenty-one year companion Lucille DuPont of Alamosa, Colorado, her mother Lucinda (Lucille) DuPont, Lucille’s daughter Michelle Rodriguez (husband Eddie) and their sons Jerome, Devan and Jacob. Mark was an Uncle to Holly Gregath, Carrie Trumble (husband John), Ellen-Craig Russell, Caroline Russell and Scott Russell (wife Deb).
Cremation was selected and a Memorial Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday August 9, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alamosa. A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday August 8, 2014 also at the church. Inurnment of ashes will immediately follow the mass at the Fox Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to Hospice Del Valle and may be made in care of the funeral home office.
Mark has gone to God’s Kingdom but left a sign at home that reads:
Gone Fishing !!!

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Mark Aubrey Russell, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.