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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Russell A. Westaby
Russell A.
Westaby
Sep 29, 1924 — Aug 22, 2017
Russell A. Westaby's Obituary
RUSSELL A. WESTABY
Russell A. Westaby, age 92 of Orland, CA passed away August 22, 2017 in Chico, CA. He was born September 29, 1924 in Orland to Clarence and Gladys Westaby. In 1942 he graduated from Orland High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He received the Principal's Leadership Award. After high school, he worked for Golden State Creamery until he joined the US Air Force where he served for 31 months. He was stationed in Italy with the 15th Air Force and completed 35 combat missions as a radio operator/gunner on a B-24 bomber. On March 11, 1944 he married Dorothy Lehman. The couple lived in Orland for 24 years where they raised their four children. Russ worked as a dairyman and as a State Farm Insurance agent. In 1968 Russ accepted a position with the California State Department of Insurance and moved to Concord, CA. Dorothy stayed in Orland until 1970 so that the twin boys could finish high school. They then moved to Concord until Russ retired and they returned to Orland. In Orland Russ was active in the Rotary Club , the Orland Volunteer Fire Department, the Orland Cultural and Historical Assn., the Orland Alumni Assn., and the Federated (Methodist/Presbytyerian) Church. He was an elder of the church and he and Dorothy (he Methodist, she Presbyterian) were the longest living members who helped to build the church in 1937, having joined at age 13. Over the years the Westabys traveled extensively by bus, slip-in camper, fifth-wheel trailer, and cruise ship. They have been to every continent except Antarctica and every state except North Dakota. One of their favorite journeys was a two month trip to Australia and New Zealand where they visited many of the friends they had made on earlier trips. Russell is survived by his wife of 73 years, Dorothy; his twin sons, Donald (Mary) of Granite Bay and Ronald of Orland; Carol, widow of Michael, and her husband Jeff Bednar of Penryn; sister, Elaine Nelson of Portland, OR; grandchildren, John, Laura, Michael, and Rachel Westaby, Rebecca Johnson, Adam and Daniel Bednar, and Jeff Baumgartner; and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his identical twin brother Lowell, his brothers Dean and Elliot, his sister Arlene Hershey, his son Michael, and his daughter Patricia Baumgartner (Morris). A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at the Federated Church of Orland, 709 First Street at 11:00 AM followed by a luncheon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Federated Church, to the church's Memory Garden, to the Orland Volunteer Fire Department, or to a favorite charity . F.D. Sweet & Son Mortuary is handling all arrangements.
Russell A. Westaby, age 92 of Orland, CA passed away August 22, 2017 in Chico, CA. He was born September 29, 1924 in Orland to Clarence and Gladys Westaby. In 1942 he graduated from Orland High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He received the Principal's Leadership Award. After high school, he worked for Golden State Creamery until he joined the US Air Force where he served for 31 months. He was stationed in Italy with the 15th Air Force and completed 35 combat missions as a radio operator/gunner on a B-24 bomber. On March 11, 1944 he married Dorothy Lehman. The couple lived in Orland for 24 years where they raised their four children. Russ worked as a dairyman and as a State Farm Insurance agent. In 1968 Russ accepted a position with the California State Department of Insurance and moved to Concord, CA. Dorothy stayed in Orland until 1970 so that the twin boys could finish high school. They then moved to Concord until Russ retired and they returned to Orland. In Orland Russ was active in the Rotary Club , the Orland Volunteer Fire Department, the Orland Cultural and Historical Assn., the Orland Alumni Assn., and the Federated (Methodist/Presbytyerian) Church. He was an elder of the church and he and Dorothy (he Methodist, she Presbyterian) were the longest living members who helped to build the church in 1937, having joined at age 13. Over the years the Westabys traveled extensively by bus, slip-in camper, fifth-wheel trailer, and cruise ship. They have been to every continent except Antarctica and every state except North Dakota. One of their favorite journeys was a two month trip to Australia and New Zealand where they visited many of the friends they had made on earlier trips. Russell is survived by his wife of 73 years, Dorothy; his twin sons, Donald (Mary) of Granite Bay and Ronald of Orland; Carol, widow of Michael, and her husband Jeff Bednar of Penryn; sister, Elaine Nelson of Portland, OR; grandchildren, John, Laura, Michael, and Rachel Westaby, Rebecca Johnson, Adam and Daniel Bednar, and Jeff Baumgartner; and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his identical twin brother Lowell, his brothers Dean and Elliot, his sister Arlene Hershey, his son Michael, and his daughter Patricia Baumgartner (Morris). A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at the Federated Church of Orland, 709 First Street at 11:00 AM followed by a luncheon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Federated Church, to the church's Memory Garden, to the Orland Volunteer Fire Department, or to a favorite charity . F.D. Sweet & Son Mortuary is handling all arrangements.
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