Russell Whitford

Russell (Grandpa) Whitford 02/02/24 - 11/14/2011 The friends and family of Russell (Grandpa) Eugene Whitford feel eternally grateful to have shared in his inspirational yet colorful life of 87 years. Grandpa was born and raised in Santa Ana, California until he relocated to Ojai with parents, John and Ana Whitford in the 1960’s. Here he cut short his education in order to help on the family farm. In 1948 Russel met his wife, Marie Oleta, who he loved deeply, though discreetly in the presence of his children and grandchildren. It wasn’t for all of these years his family would realize the depth of his love until his many letters to her were found following his death. Russel and Marie were married 47 years, until her passing in 1995. During World War II, Russel traveled with the Navy to places such as Australia, Guam, and Japan. His abundant stories of the war will be prized by all who gave their time to listen. Once home from the service, Russel worked as a long haul truck driver for the Teamsters Union traveling across the U.S. for 42 years. During this time, he was sent to various jobsites that included work on several bridges between Ojai and Ventura. Russell, known as Grandpa to all, was a popular entity at Ojai Valley Community Hospital, volunteering his services for 21 years. He will be greatly missed. Russel was gifted with numerous people in his life and is survived by stepson Jay Peters ( ), and granddaughter, Carolyn Sutton. Great granddaughters include: Vickie (Eric) Gates; Shelley and Julie Bird; Angel (Ben) Blakey; Tori and Brandi Eisman. Great grandsons include Jason (Jaime) Chesbrough, and Gary Lee, Jr., Bird, as well as great nephews Kenneth Azevedo, and Rudy (Cheryl) Azevedo. Russell is survived by several grand and great grandchildren as well. He was preceded in death by brothers Robert, Charlie, and John, and sisters Faye Martin and Cleo Azevedo. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Russell’s name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/donate Services will be held on Saturday, November 26, at 1 p.m. at the Ojai Valley Community Church, 907 El Centro Street, Ojai, California, 93023.