Russell J. Gartrell

Russ Gartrell passed away on October 23, 2017, at his home in Sandpoint, Idaho, after battling COPD for many years.   Russ was born July 26, 1937, to Harvey and Evelyn Gartrell in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he spent his early childhood.  The family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Russ began school.  He graduated from Grant High School and Portland State University.  During his college years, Russ served in the Oregon Air National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1962.   He began his profession as an electrical engineer, working for several national firms and completing his career with RA Hanson in Spokane.  He worked on job sites worldwide, including Jordan, China, New Zealand, Chile, Mexico, Canada and many places within the US.   He married in 1962 and had two sons, Mark and William.  In 1971 he married Diane Ekwortzell and they made their home in Seattle, Spokane, and Sandpoint.   Russ was an avid car enthusiast, owning several classics and entering them in parades and shows.  He enjoyed his participation in the Injectors Car Club activities.   In his retirement years, Russ continued to enjoy travel as he and Diane toured many miles in their motorhome exploring the US and Canada until his health no longer allowed that pleasure.   Survivors include his wife Diane; his sister Janet Gartrell of Annapolis Maryland; his sons Mark (Cricket) Gartrell of Anchorage, Alaska, and William (Jerrilee) Gartrell of Bellingham, Washington; four grandchildren, and niece Tricia Ekwortzell-Wells of Clarksville, Tennessee.  Russ is also survived by his brothers-in-law Ross, Vance (Pat), and Dennis Ekwortzell.    Services will be held at a later date.  Memorials are suggested to Celebrate Life, P.O. Box 144, Ponderay, ID 83852.