Terry Russell

Obituary of Terry Lee Russell

Terry Lee Russell was born April 5, 1953 in West Covina, CA to Edward and Florence Russell. A native Californian through and through, he spent most of his young life in the San Diego area, but also spent a few of his teenage years living in Montreal, Canada.

It was 1978 when he met the love of his life: Carrie Covey. The two married in October of 1979 and recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Together, they lived a lifetime of adventures, spending 34 years living in Anza, CA. There, they raised three children: Chris, Jenny, and Billy. In late 2019 they relocated to Tucson, AZ, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They were both excited to begin their new life together under the Arizona sun.

Terry was a funny, complicated, opinionated person, no stranger to contradictions. A Republican, hippie, capitalist, nonconformist, his political views ranged the entire spectrum, yet he always abhorred bullies and loathed injustice. Though often a deeply private person, he could effortlessly entertain an entire room, his unreserved laughter being remembered by all who heard it.

Terry taught his children how to hike and fish, to respect nature and protect wilderness, to love literature, and how to watch movies to really understand them. He loved poetry, could cook a meal to wow even the most renowned chef, and could quote the entire movie Tombstone from start to finish. He was a rare person you could ask any question and he would probably have the answer for you. A well-read scholar, his prowess at answering Jeopardy clues was unparalleled. He was an avid birder and gardener who knew the seasons for each type of bird, vegetable, and herb. He loved spending time with his grandkids who he spoiled with Dr. Pepper, to the disapproval of their parents. Terry didn't care very much about the disapproval of others. He hated the Sesame Street Muppet Telly, whom he regarded as a complainer, and obituaries that didn’t tell the reader how the person died.

On the morning of July 19, 2020, Terry died unexpectedly of cardiovascular disease. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carrie; his three children, Chris, Jenny, and Billy; his two grandchildren, Maddy and Bash; his brothers Bob, Don, and Tom; and his sister Cindy

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