Wayne Paul Russ

Wayne Paul Russ passed away January 19, 2024, following a favorite bicycle ride near his home in Long Beach, CA. He was born January 30, 1942, in Grants Pass. OR. to Lois Loesch Russ and Dr. Robert Russ.

During the first three years of his life, he traveled with his family to various military bases while his dad served his time with the US Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, the family returned to Grants Pass on the Lower River Road.

Wayne attended FT. Vannoy Grade School, graduating from the eighth grade in 1956. The family then moved to Ely, NV, where Wayne attended White Pine High School, graduating in 1960. The family returned to Oregon. Wayne attended the then Oregon State College, Corvallis. He graduated in 1964.

Following graduation, Wayne worked as a flagger on the construction of I-5 in Roseburg. That fall, he moved to Southern California, where he was employed with Occidental Life Insurance Company of California as a computer programmer. After several years, he accepted a position with Rockwell International Aircraft as a computer programmer. He retired in 1997.

On July 3, 2014, he married Jenny Wilson, his friend of many years.

Wayne lived in California much of his adult life. He enjoyed traveling and riding his bicycle, often thirty miles or more a day. Las Vegas was one of his favorite places to bike, along with Bull Head City, AR.

He is survived by his wife, Jenny, by his brother Gordon (Lana) Russ, Lacey, WA; his sister, Barbara Russ, Chihuahua, Mexico; a nephew, Justin Russ; nieces Koren Russ and Kristin Russ, all of Portland, OR; and numerous cousins. A celebration of life is being planned in Oregon with family members.