Arthur ""Art"" Lewis Russell

Arthur ‘Art' Lewis Russell, passed away Monday, March 18, 2019 in Centennial, Colorado at the age of 94. Art was born December 9, 1924 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Arthur Payne Russell and Eva Rose Russell. He spent his childhood in Idaho Falls, where he was affectionately known as ‘Luke' by his family.

In high school, Art played football as first-string tackle for the Idaho Falls Tigers. And in 1943, he graduated from high school and enlisted in the Army as an airman. Art served his country as a pilot, 2^nd lieutenant until his discharge in 1946. Shortly after his return home and taking full advantage of the GI Bill, Art headed south to attend the University of Colorado in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. While attending CU, he majored in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1950.

In the fall of 1949, Art met his beloved bride Jacqueline ‘Jacque' Louise Thompson while attending a dance hosted at Colorado Women's College. They were a match made in heaven and were married June 18, 1950 at Jacque's family ranch in Carbondale, Colorado. Art and Jacque were married nearly 69 years and together, they raised five daughters.

Shortly after they were married, Art and Jacque moved to Santa Monica, California where Art would start his career as a Mechanical Engineer at Douglas Aircraft Corp. Art had an illustrious and successful career of over 40 years in the aerospace industry. Over the years he worked at Boeing, Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin and Stearns-Roger - leaders in the chemical, electronics and aerospace industry. His career took him and his family to California, to Colorado and Seattle, Washington and finally back to Denver. Art ended his career in Colorado, retiring in 1991.

Art loved being with his family and friends - of which he and Jacque had many. He was always up for anything. Art was an active member of both the Elks Englewood, Colorado Lodge and the Kiwanis Club. He loved the outdoors, nature, gardening, landscaping, home projects, golfing, dancing and traveling. Together, Art and Jacque traveled with their family throughout their lives and extensively throughout the world upon his retirement. Art was one of few that could say that he had traveled to every continent in the world - including Antarctica! With his maps in hand, he always enjoyed planning the next trip.

Art will be remembered for being a wonderful husband, loving father and provider for his family. His intelligence, integrity, generosity, quietness and his attentiveness to detail were unparalleled. He was fondly referred to as the family's almanac - he could site dates, details and facts that many had long since forgotten. Throughout his life, his humility never wavered, especially as his health deteriorated. In his eighties, Art was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which took a toll on his body, but not his mind. Art remained sharp as a tack, even in his final days. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Art is preceded in death by his father and mother Arthur and Eva Rose Russell, his sister Evagene and her husband Richard, and his sister Dolores and her first husband Lynn. By marriage he is preceded in death by his sister-in-law LeAnn and her husband Vern, and his brother-in-law Lyman.

Art is survived by his wife Jacque and his five daughters and their families - Angie, Andrea (Jeffrey), Melanie (Mark), Valerie (Dave) and Loralie (Vance). His legacy lives on in eleven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and fifteen nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister Dolores' second husband Arnold. By marriage, he is survived by his brother-in-law Lyman's wife Jeaneen, his brother-in-law LewRon and his wife Jackie.

A private memorial service/luncheon will be held on Friday, March 29, 2019 at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 5303 E County Line Rd, Littleton, CO 80122. Burial will be in Carbondale, Colorado at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to The Parkinson's Association of the Rockies, 1325 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80222, https://parkinsonrockies.org/.

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