Russell John Maynes' Obituary
Russell John Maynes
February 4, 1945 – June 23, 2017
South Jordan, Utah
Russell finished his earthly mission and passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, June 23, 2017 after a long battle with illness. He was born on February 4, 1945 to John Alexander Maynes III and Jeanne Walters.
Russ grew up in the Salt Lake Valley with the mountains as his playground. He loved hunting and fishing with his dad and brothers and had a great love for the outdoors. He loved to learn, was an expert chess player, and a great cook. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fulfilled a mission to the New England States. He attended the University of Utah where he met his eternal sweetheart Ruthie. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 30, 1968. Russ was a Green Beret and Paratrooper in the Utah National Guard, 19th Special Forces Airborne Unit.
Russ worked hard at everything he did. He was an ironworker and made the staircase for the Trolley Square Tower in Salt Lake City, Utah, he owned his own carpet cleaning business, and worked for the LDS Church for over 23 years He valued the blessings that come from hard work and passed that down to his children. He enjoyed his life and spent it working, playing and serving; doing the things he loved with the people he loved. He found and created the fun in everything he did. His smile and cheerfulness were contagious and was famous for his silly songs. He was known affectionately to his grandkids as Grampa Russ or the Tickle Monster. He set high standards for himself and his family and loved watching his children and grandchildren grow in the gospel, develop their talents, learn, and achieve their goals. His life was full of the love for the Savior and his family and spent his time serving them both.
At the time of his death Russ was in his eighth year of serving a mission with his wife in the Salt Lake City East Mission. He enjoyed working with all the people in their mission and loved them all a great deal. He served in the Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain temples. He served for many years in the young men’s presidencies for his different wards and loved to see the young men succeed in Scouting.
Survived by his wife, Ruth (Bush), 10 children; Becky Beckstead (Darren), Lynn Maynes (Alison), Jennifer Maynes, Nancy Harris (Mark), Robert Maynes (Heather), Daniel Maynes (Adele), Jared Maynes (Paulette), Nathan Maynes (Christa), Bethany Webster (Matthew), Meg Taylor (Chris), forty-eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, siblings; Marvin, Creig, Janice, Leanne, and many loved nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings; Terry, Marsha, Keith, and Sheldon, daughter-in-law, Jennifer Colver Maynes, and great-grandson, Corbin Roberts.
Funeral services will be held to celebrate his life on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:00 am at the LDS Stake Center on 4517 Mille Lacs Drive, South Jordan, Utah. A short viewing will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 am prior to the funeral and interment will follow the service at Memorial Estate Cemetery on 6500 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123.
The family expresses our deep gratitude to all the compassionate and kind caregivers that helped Russ through his illness.
Dad, your righteous example and influence will be felt down through the generations.
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