Russell Leon Mosier

Mosier, Russell Leon
80, of Phoenix, Arizona, died peacefully on May 22, 2014, while in hospice at the Coronado Home.

Russ, son of Luther and Nellie (Morrison) Mosier, was born in Richmond, Indiana, and raised in Lynn (Washington Township, Randolph County), where he played trumpet, baseball, and basketball in high school, listened to Bix Beiderbecke and other jazz musicians launched by Richmond's Gennett Records, worked at his father's "Hoosier Pete" gasoline service station and on the family farm at Snow Hill, and watched Pennsylvania Railroad trains pass through town on their way to Richmond or Mackinaw City, Michigan. A 1956 graduate of Purdue University, he majored in Industrial Education and made his career selling earthmoving equipment (first at Caterpillar, Inc., in Peoria, Illinois, and later, at Empire Southwest in Mesa, Arizona). His loyalty to Empire, 40 years of service to the company, is surpassed only by his 58-year marriage to his college sweetheart, Ruth Rodgers Mosier, who survives him.

A born tinkerer, he raised three children who became artists and writers. His lifelong example of industry, modesty, and pleasure in solving a problem instilled in us a belief in the value of making things. Despite his professional and personal success, Dad championed the underdog, evidence of the optimism and generous spirit that made him so beloved by so many.

Russ Mosier is survived by his wife, Ruth Rodgers Mosier of Phoenix; his brother Melvin Leroy Mosier (Charmain) of Indianapolis; sons Andrew Rodgers Mosier (Janette) of Tucson and Paul Stuart Mosier (Keri) of Phoenix; daughter Elizabeth Ann Mosier (Christopher Mills) of St. Davids, Pennsylvania; and six grandchildren: Melanie Mosier, Alison Mosier-Mills, Catherine Mosier-Mills, Nicholas Mosier, Eleri Mosier, and Harmony Mosier.

A memorial service will be held in Phoenix at a date to be determined. Donations in our father's memory may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014; (602) 530-6900; www.hov.org.