Brian Dongbu Russell was born in Seoul, Korea in the late spring of 1972. Holt International Adoption Agency became his guardian around the age of two. At the age of three he joined the family of Keith and RevaBeth Loveridge Russell and his younger sister, Layna. Shondra joined the family two years later. He was sealed to his family in October of 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Brian grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Springville, Utah. He graduated from Springville High, always proud to be a Red Devil. He served an LDS mission in the Illinois, Chicago area. He obtained his Associates Degree from Stevens-Henager College.
There was nothing that Brian couldn’t fix or improve. He was employed by Cascade Collision at the time of his death. Brian seemed to know everyone, in all stations of life. He was the truest friend you could ever wish for. He was honest and had a work ethic reminiscent of his Grandpa Loveridge, whom he idolized. He was always striving to help others in any way he could and was a tissue donor. Brian also had the sharpest crap detector ever and was not afraid to use it.
He is survived by his girlfriend, Melissa Bennett, and her daughter, Sierra, of Orem; his mother and father, of Springville; his sisters, Layna (Patrick) Torsak of Springville and Shondra Russell of Salem, Oregon; his grandmother, Hattie Russell, of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; and his three nieces and three nephews, who adored him.
In lieu of flowers (what would he want them for? we can hear him say), the family has requested that donations in Brian’s name be made to Holt International PO Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the Hobble Creek West Stake Center, 555 S. 600 E., Springville. There was a viewing held Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E. 200 S., Springville and Saturday at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment was in the East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery.
