Russell Wilson

Sergeant First Class Russell Brent Wilson, 75, of Tooele, Utah, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday morning, February 12, 2026, due to health complications.

He was born on January 16, 1951, in Ogden, Utah, at Thomas Dee Memorial Hospital. The third of five boys born to Russell J. Wilson and Margaret B. Wilson, Russell grew up in Washington Terrace, where his father built the family home when Russell was 9 years old.

Russell attended Polk Elementary, T.H. Bell Junior High School, and graduated from Bonneville High School. Early in life, he worked at Braton's and enjoyed hobbies such as camping, hunting, and shooting his collection of guns. He had a special love for his 1967 Chevrolet (a Chevelle) that he purchased from his brother Dave. Russell also had three beloved pets: dogs Patches and Nipper, and a cat named Moochie.

Russell joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1971. On July 1, 1971, he married the love of his life, Linda Lee McKinley, in Ogden, Utah. He completed six weeks of basic training and remained a dedicated member of the Reserves for 25 years, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had hoped to serve a full-time mission, but this was during the Vietnam War era when only select young men were called.

The couple's first child, daughter Michelle Wilson (now Michelle Cumming, married to Gordon McNaull), was born on September 25, 1975, at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden. Weighing 4 pounds 11 ounces at birth, she earned the nickname "Peanut" from the nurses and stayed in the hospital until she reached 5 pounds.

The family lived in Ogden until 1979, then moved to Tooele, Utah. Their second daughter, Kristie Lee Wilson, was born on May 20, 1980, at St. Benedict's Hospital. Their son, Kelly Russell Wilson, was born on February 24, 1987.

Russell worked at Magcorp (Magnesium Corporation) in Rowley, Utah, until his retirement in 2009. He enjoyed spending time in the garage working on cars, tending the yard, and gardening.

During his military service, Russell deployed to Germany in support of Desert Storm and spent two weeks in Iran and Kuwait.

Russell became a grandfather for the first time with the birth of Brendan McNaull Cumming, followed by Hunter Bailey Cumming on July 27, 2003.

In recent years, Russell faced significant health challenges, including prostate cancer, open-heart surgery, broken hips (one each year), and blood clots. His health declined further, leading to a hospital stay in January 2026. He entered hospice care on February 6, 2026, and passed away six days later.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Raymond Wilson and David Wilson; his daughter Kristie in 2022; and his granddaughter Morgan Miriam Cumming who was stillborn in 2005.

Russell is survived by his devoted wife of over 54 years, Linda Lee McKinley Wilson; daughter Michelle Cumming and her husband Gordon McNaull; son Kelly Russell Wilson; grandsons Brendan McNaull Cumming and Hunter Bailey Cumming; and brothers Michael Wilson and Jon Wilson.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St., Tooele, Utah. A viewing will precede the service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the same location. Burial will take place in the Tooele City Cemetery.

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