Allan K. Russell

Al Russell was born Aug. 20, 1935, in Lavina, Mont., to Marvin Kenneth and Erma Mae Candler Russell. He spent his youth in central Montana and graduated from Lavina High School in 1952. He was very active in all activities, but especially enjoyed basketball and track.

His maternal great-grandfather, Charles Benjamin Candler, was a sheriff in North Carolina before moving his family to Lewiston in 1901 to operate a still on Lindsey Creek where it enters the Clearwater River. His paternal grandfather, James Mitchell Candler, moved from Cavendish to Lavina, Mont., in 1908, filing on 800 acres under the Homestead Act along the Musselshell River. His mom, Erma Mae Candler, married Marvin Kenneth Russell, and they made Lavina their home.

After graduating high school, Al enrolled at the University of Montana and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor of arts degree in social science and a bachelor of science degree in physical education. He then served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1963.

On Nov. 22, 1962, "Big Al" married Kay D. Keyser of Butte, Mont. They lived in Sidney, Missoula and Bigfork and had four children together. After a long and successful career as an insurance agent and with the state of Montana, Al retired in 1995, spending the winter months in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley until becoming a permanent resident in 2004. He loved being a part of every community he lived in and enjoyed living his final years in both Lewiston and Clarkston. He was a member of the Wesleyan Church, the Adcope fitness center and Asotin County Family Aquatic Center, the Clarkston Country Club, the Eagles and Moose clubs.

Al was preceded in death by his beloved, Kay D. Russell.

Al is survived by his daughter, Renee Matthews and husband Craig Matthews; son Randy Russell and wife Shawna Russell; son Ken Russell and wife Shannon Russell, all of Spokane; daughter Kay Curran and husband Chuck Curran of Reno, Nev.; along with 11 grandchildren, Emily, Nick, Megan, Allison, Lindsey, McKenna, Luke, Ryan, Tyler, Charlie and Rylee.

A tribute to his life will be celebrated by his immediate family. His ashes will be laid to rest so that he can see the sun rise over the Clearwater River, have a full view of Hells Canyon and the Blues, watch beautiful sunsets above the Snake River and cheer when the lights come on at Harris Field.