Russell Dean Wykoff

1940 - 2021

Russell Dean Wykoff

Farmington - Russell D. Wykoff of Farmington, NM passed from this life on Tuesday February 23, 2021 with his beloved partner of 56 years, Susan Wykoff, at his side.

Well-loved Brother to Gary Wykoff. Beloved Father to David Wykoff, Belinda Kennedy and Julie Ellingson. Loving Grandfather to Nathan Groth, Lynaya Groth, Sienna Ellingson, Alyssa Ellingson, and Wyatt Wykoff.

Great Grandfather of Brandon, Rosalee, Desirae, Maddox and Ellie Groth; Tabias and Lillian Zellitti. Beloved Uncle to Steven and Stacey Wykoff.

Russ was born February 11, 1940 at home in Berthoud, CO to Charley and Ruby Wykoff.

Russ grew up on the family dairy farm in Berthoud Colorado. After graduating high school and attended CSU, he joined the Navy and served 4 years. While stationed at Whidbey Island, WA, he met and married Susan Hoines on March 11, 1965. In June of '66, with his enlistment up, ATN2 Russ Wykoff left the military and moved his small family, wife and son David, back to Colorado where he worked at Hewlett Packard. For the next few years, the family moved around Colorado and Wyoming, including time spent in Leadville, Co where Russ was a Deputy Sheriff and Sheridan, Wy where Russ did weather charting. Along the way daughters Belinda & Julie were born. Russ and his family moved to Farmington, NM in 1977 where Russ worked as a Master Electrician for PNM. Russ retired from PNM in 2007 after 30 years of employment.

Russ was a long-time ham radio operator with the call sign K0MPD. Russ loved trains and the Bar-D-Chuckwagon. His many interests included photography, woodworking, electronics, and metal lathing. His love for reading a good book was well known. In his relaxing moments Russ could be found in his chair, reading a good book with a kitty (his "lap warmer") curled up on his lap.

Russ was liked and well respected. Those of us fortunate enough to have known him and enjoyed his company had our lives enriched and blessed beyond measure by this wonderful man, whether he was a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, or friend. So let's all rejoice that we shared our journey in this life with such a great man. He will be missed by all.

Celebration of Life will be private for friends and family on March 5th