Howard Everett Russell

Howard Everett Russell passed away August 12, 2025 just short of his 97th birthday. Born in Weiser, Idaho on August 22,1928 to Fenton and Lila Russell. Emmett, Idaho was his home most of his life. Howard loved to ride his horse 40 miles to his Grandpa Stephen's ranch on South Crane.
He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He joined the Navy on December 12,1945 and was called Russ by his fellow sailors. He served on the USS Arkansas (Joint Task Force One for the atomic bomb), USS Palmyre, USS Los Angeles heavy cruiser to China. He was honorably discharged October 8, 1947.

After the Navy, he obtained his commercial pilot's license but chose to be a family man. He started his career in the lumber industry.  Howard married Tola A. Burlile on May 27,1950 and raised his family.

He became the first in his family and the youngest in the State of Idaho to receive the Master Grader Certificate at that time. His first job was at Boise Cascade where he graded lumber and became a supervisor over three mills which lead to quality control over 35 mills. At Hoff Lumber Co. he was the quality control manager over all lumber productions. In later years he became a consultant for Spokane Moulding, Northern Cheyenne Pine Co., and Devil's Tower Sawmill. He also planned and built the Alexandria Moulding Plant for a Canadian company and then traveled to Mexico to startup a sawmill. During his lumber career, he became a contractor and built 12 homes and 2 apartment buildings in Emmett. He also had a dairy and milked cows for many years.

Howard is survived by his four children, Kathleen Davis, Karen (Alvin) Davis, Connie (Dan) Perkins and Wayne (Evie) Russell; ten grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, one brother and two sisters.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Tola; daughter, Janie; son­ in-law, Leslie Davis; three brothers and one sister.

There will be a Graveside Service at the Emmett Cemetery on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM.
  
Arrangements are under the care of the Potter Funeral Chapel.

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