Russell Howard Alley
Marriages
Sandra Cox
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D - July 8, 2012
Russell Howard Alley, age 79, a
Grand Junction resident, passed
away at Good Samaritan Hospital
in Phoenix, AZ on June 11, 2012.
His death was a result of complications
after a fall while playing
shuffleboard, a game he thoroughly
enjoyed.
Russell was born in Del Norte,
CO to Howard and Marjorie Alley
and was raised in the San Luis Valley. He graduated from Center
High School and attended Mesa College where he met, and married
Sandra Cox. Russell served in the US Army from 1954 - 1956,
stationed in Verdun, France. Upon his return, Russell and Sandra
moved to Montrose and then Gunnison. He graduated from Western
State College with a BA in Business. Several years later Russ
and his brother Tom purchased SouthSide Grocery in Montrose
from their parents and operated the store for 17 years. During this
time Russell and Sandra raised 5 children. Russell was active in the
Montrose Lions Club, a coach in the Old Timers Youth program,
and a lifetime member of the Montrose Elks Lodge. He was elected
to the Montrose City Council from 1963 - 1971; was appointed
Mayor in 1968, serving for 4 years. He was the youngest to serve as
Mayor of Montrose. During his time as Mayor, Russ was instrumental
in bringing the Russell Stover Factory to the Montrose area
considering this one of his proudest accomplishments as Mayor.
In 1978, Russell and Sandra moved to Grand Junction where Russ
worked in the wholesale and retail grocery business. In 1986, he
joined Met Life Insurance as an agent and received many awards.
Russell retired in 1997 and he and Sandra thoroughly enjoyed traveling
the US. One of his fondest memories was volunteering as a
host at the Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, OR. Russell and
Sandra "wintered" in Mesa, AZ, making friends with many people
from across the US and Canada. Russ was a fun loving and dedicated
husband, dad, "grandpaw", and "great grandpaw". He never
knew a stranger!
Russ is survived by Sandra, his wife of 57 years, and their five
children, Cathy (Scott) Winter of Arvada, CO; Karen (Tim) Elmont
of Golden, CO; Mike (Jamie) Alley of Arvada, CO; Bruce (Lori)
Alley of Arvada, CO, and Kristi (Dan) Kinnett of Grand Junction,
CO; their 13 grandchildren, Amanda (Chris) Winn, Mark Winter,
and Ryan (Amy) Winter, Matt and Katie Elmont, Josh, Jordan, and
Spencer Alley, Nathan, Kris, and Briana Alley, Hannah (Sawyer)
Boggs and Stacey Kinnett; their four great-grandchildren, Benjamin,
Caleb, and Jedidiah Winn, Jemma Winter; his brothers, Blaine
(Judy) Alley of Denver, CO, and David (Carla) of Colorado Springs,
CO, and many nieces and nephews.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Stevie;
sisters, Charlotte Winner and Clara Jo Zarret, and brother, Tom.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on
July 27, at 12:00 p.m. at the Clifton Christian Church. In lieu of
flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Clifton Christian
Church Building Fund, 615 I-70 Business Loop, Clifton CO 81520
or, St. Mary's Oncology Clinic, 750 WellingtonAve., Grand Junction,
CO. 81501, or the Montrose Elks Lodge, 801 S Hillcrest Dr.
Montrose, CO 81401.
“Big Russ” will be missed by all. Condolences can be left for the
family at www.DignityMemorial.com.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6 B Notice - June 20, 2012
Russell H. Alley, 79, Grand Junction, died June 11, 2012, at
Good Samaritan Banner Health Hospital in Phoenix.
Services will be at a later date. Burial will be at Veterans Memorial
Gardens of Western Colorado.
Mr. Alley was a retired MetLife insurance agent and a former
grocery store owner in Montrose.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra; two sons, Mike and Bruce,
both of the Denver area; three daughters, Cathy Winter and Karen
Elmont, both of the Denver area, and Kristi Kinnett of Grand Junction;
two brothers, Blaine of Fort Collins and David of Colorado
Springs; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions to St. Mary’s Oncology Clinic, 750 Wellington
Ave., Grand Junction 81510 or the B.P.O. Elks Lodge of Montrose,
801 S. Hillcrest Drive, Montrose 81401.
