Russell Harmon

1949 - 2018

Russell Stewart Harmon, of Big Lake, Alaska, and most recently, Yuma, Ariz., passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family, on Aug. 20, 2018.
Russell, also known as Windy, by his father, for his gift of gab; Pete, by his siblings, from the cartoon Two Gun Pete; Stew , by his childhood friends; Dad, by his loving daughters; and Grandpa, by his two favorite people in the world, was born on April 2, 1949, to Norma Mae (McClellan) and Henry Russell Harmon in Fullerton, Calif. His childhood was spent in Southern California, working on motorcycles and fast cars, and improving the design on anything mechanical, along with his siblings; Ernest, Marie, Mark and Gregory (Fritz). He met the love of his life, Bonnie Jean Harlow, while racing cars on Brea Canyon Road, in September 1968. Drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War (1969), he married Bonnie in 1970, before being stationed at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. Russ and Bonnie spent their honeymoon driving the Alcan Highway in their 1965 Corvair. Russ' military career honorably ended 1975 as an E5 and they settled in Anchorage, Alaska. In March 1973, their daughter, Brandilyn Jean, was born in Fullerton, Calif. Four years later, daughter Stacy Ann completed their family in Anchorage. Russ joined the Northwest Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 23, in 1975, from which he retired in 2011.
Russ spent his life working hard, having fun, going fast and living every minute to the fullest. He was a true renaissance man: listening to Larry Elgart and his big band every weekend, watching opera and rebuilding engines. Beloved for his creative and colorful use of language, he could cuss you out in English, Spanish and sign language, which he did often. He was a true craftsman and not only could he fix or build anything, but he added a bit of his artistic flair to every project. He flew his planes throughout Alaska while never "fully" licensed, raced motorcycles and sprint cars, and drove his antique tractors in parades.
He is survived and truly loved by his wife (first and second), Bonnie; his beautiful daughters, Brandi (husband Martin) and Stacy; and his amazing grandchildren, Tyler Diana and Devin Lee. He is also survived by his family in California, including siblings, their spouses, nieces and nephews; friends; and his loyal companion, Ruger. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Mark.
Russell has chosen to selflessly donate his body to science and was graciously accepted by a medical university to help educate, inform and hopefully change the future of cancer.
No services are planned, but please pour yourself a stiff cocktail - three fingers – and raise your glass to an amazing man!