Dale Allyn Russell

Dale Allyn Russell, 81, died Monday October 3, 2016 at his home in Show Low, AZ. He was born April 3, 1935 in Fond du Lac, WI, the middle child of Harold and Irene (Blackburn) Russell. As a young man Dale enjoyed working with his parents at their family grocery store in Oakfield WI. Thus began a career in produce management that spanned over 40 years in both WI and AZ. He was employed by many local and chain supermarkets in his career, including Kroger, Fry's, and Safeway. He did retire, many times, but always returned to work part time. He just couldn't sit still! But mostly he missed interacting with customers and his co-workers.  On August 19, 1971, he was united in marriage to Barbara Mayer Paulsen in Port Washington, WI. Shortly after their wedding they moved to Arizona where they made a home and have resided for over 45 years.   Dale was a proud member of Lions International for 31 years. He was active in five clubs, holding several club offices as well as serving his Arizona Lions District as Zone Chairman four times. Along with his wife Barbara, he formed the Glendale Bellair Lions Club in 2002. He was currently President and the local Zone Chairman of the Pinetop Lions Club. From the Lion's Club, Dale was honored with the highest form of recognition, the nationwide Melvin Jones Award. This award signifies that the recipient is a model of exemplary service to his Lions Club and the community. Dale, along with his wife Barbara, lived the Lions Club motto, "We Serve". As well as also being an active and proud member of the Knights of Columbus and the White Mountains Gideon Camp, Dale was a dedicated and devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church. In his rare spare time, Dale enjoyed gardening, especially growing beautiful roses, playing dominoes and card games, and most of all spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.     Dale is preceded in death by and reunited in heaven to his sweetheart of 44 years, Barbara. After her passing, Dale made many friends and found comfort and encouragement from the grief support group Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care in Lakeside, AZ. His family is very grateful that Dale was involved in this wonderful group of people he could talk to and find solace with. Dale is survived by his son Doug (Chris) Russell and step-daughter Andrea Wondra; three grandchildren, Stephanie (Doug) Mathis, Tara Russell and Eric Russell; two great-grandsons Conor and Trevor Mathis; his brother Keith (Janet) Russell his sister Myra (David) Pipping. A memorial service in Dales honor will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Show Low on October 22, 2016 at 12 pm.   The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to either Pinetop Lions Club PO Box 356 Pinetop, AZ 85929 or The Gideons International PO Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214