A memorial service for Russell D. Young, 68, of Coos Bay will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, August 26 at the Coos Bay Chapel, 685 Anderson Ave. in Coos Bay.

Russell was born Nov. 13, 1948 in Coos Bay.  He passed away Aug. 10, 2017 in Coos Bay of natural causes. 

He grew up in Crab Flats then moved to Englewood and worked at his grandpa’s lapping stables, cleaning the horse stalls and feeding the horses every day.  During that time, in high school, he met Charlotte Wierichs and they married Jan. 1, 1967 and were together for more than 50 years.

Russell graduated high school in 1966 and went to Oregon State University where he received a certificate in horse shoeing.  He went on to be a painter, inventor and real estate salesman with Ed Sherwood, and flat track motorcycle racer, but his love was commercial fishing.  Russell got the itch by going on tuna and salmon fishing trips with his Uncle Jack and cousin, Chris out of Brookings.  His favorite time of the year was fall for hunting with the family and NFL football.  He worked on the F/V Shaun and Bernadette dragging and shrimping before buying his first salmon boat.  He was always the highliner for Peterson Seafoods and strived to out-fish everyone.

Russell headed to Alaska in 1978 on the F/V Ocean Leader and later the Northern Leader to fish for Dungeness and king crab where they were always highliners.  He was very proud to say, they pioneered the Opilio crab fishery that you see on "The Deadliest Catch" TV series today.  While packing salmon in Naknek, Alaska, Bristol Bay, he found his favorite fishing, gill netting sockeye salmon. After a very serious head injury while king crabbing, Russell and Charlotte took a gamble and built their own boat, the Artic Ram in 1980, to gill net salmon in Bristol Bay.

The Ram was always in the top 10 boats and the number one boat for years, fishing for Kemp Fisheries.  Russell always said he had the best crew in the bay with Raymond Chase, Ron Jones, Donnie Kasper, and son, Rex, for most years and brother, Curt and father, Bud early on. One season the Ram caught 182,000 lbs. of salmon in less than 3 weeks.

It was always Russell and Charlotte’s dream to build a house on their Davis Slough property they bought together in 1968.  After fighting in court for 10 years they were finally able to develop that property and build their house in 1990.  Davis Slough was Russell’s haven and he taught the grandkids how to hunt, fish, ride four-wheelers, pick blackberries, and feel safe with no one to bother you there.  He couldn’t wait for one of the kid’s visit or grandkids to come stay with them, the family get-togethers, and Christmas together.  He always had a big smile on him with family around; sometimes just sitting and listening and watching everyone.  He sang them funny little rhyming songs and would tell them stories like being stranded on a boat in the ocean with half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that they could share, riding the waves, and keeping warm together.  Russell had special nicknames for each kid and grandkid that they will never forget.

Russell was an avid deer and elk hunter with many trophies.  He was a professional trapper in his early years catching muskrat, mink, raccoons, otter and in just a few weeks one season, he caught 102 beavers; he was over his limit by two.  He commercially dug clams in the past, but loved digging with family, friends, and especially the kids.  He loved camping with his family, fishing, riding his four-wheeler around his property looking for animals and checking out his fruit trees, watching the mallards and wood ducks in his fish and beaver ponds, talking fishing and scores with his friends at the Basin Café and working on his last big deal with Roger.  Whatever dinner was served was his favorite.

Russell loved his family and grandkids most of all.  He always taught them to strive to be the best in his own way.  He watched many SWOYA, junior high and high school games played by his kids and grandkids and their friends.

Russell will be mostly remembered by being a hard worker, working long hours, a tough man that didn’t take crap from anyone, a salesman, highliner commercial fisherman, clam digger, awesome hunter and teacher.  But most of all, a great husband, father, grandfather and uncle to his family and their friends.

Russell is survived his wife, Charlotte “Bubbles”; son, Rex Young and wife, Tammy of Coos Bay; daughters, Holly Young of Coos Bay, and Nancy Anthony and husband, Bob of Washington; son, Scott Mickelson and wife, Caryn of North Bend; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and another on the way; sister, Mary Jean Christensen of Wasilla, Alaska and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Jeanne Young; and his brother, Curtis Young.

Memorial contributions in Russell’s remembrance can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1650 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, OR 97209, or the Marshfield Booster’s Club, 10th & Ingersoll, Coos Bay, OR 97420 for the student athletes.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com

 Service Information