Patrick Jason Russell

1947 - 2015

Patrick Jason Russell November 30, 1947 - December 16, 2015 Ramona Patrick Russell was born November 30, 1947, in San Diego to Donal and Patricia Russell. He passed away in his sleep, with his wife by his side, on December 16, 2015. He had been battling esophageal and stomach cancer for over a year.Patrick attended Ramona Elementary School and Ramona High. While living in Ramona in 1960-1961, he was the newspaper boy for the San Diego Union. His parents moved to Riverside and he graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1965. He began his 34-year career with the California Department of Forestry/CalFire on the Monday after graduation.Pat was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968. He served 14 months in Vietnam and was awarded a Bronze Star. When he returned home, he continued his career with CDF/Cal Fire retiring as a Fire Captain in January 2000.He met his wife, Sue Cottrill, at work. She worked in the office and Pat was stationed at the Monte Vista Headquarters Fire Station. They were married in September of 1974 on the lawn between the Office and the Station.Patrick and his family moved to Ramona in 1991, where his daughters, as well as his oldest grandson, graduated from Ramona High School. The other three attend Ramona schools as well, one is a senior at Ramona High and the two youngest attend Barnett Elementary.After retiring, Pat enjoyed RVing throughout the country and traveled to the east coast three times, each on a different route. He also enjoyed camping with his family and friends. His favorite places were where he could ride his RZR. Patrick is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sue; daughters, Colleen (Bron) Tschumperlin and Jennifer (Riley) Murphy; four grandchildren, Jason (19), Kyle (18), Reagan (8), and Redding (6); along with his father, Donal, all of Ramona. He also leaves three brothers, Daniel (Sharon) of Santa Rosa, Donal (Lisa) of Capistrano Beach and Karl (Kathy) of Redmond, OR; along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia, in 2003.A celebration of Patrick's life will be held on April 16, 2016, at his daughter's home in Ramona.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Pat's favorite charity - The Salvation Army - who were always there in Vietnam as well as in Fire Camps throughout California. Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ ramonasentinel .