Russell Mayes, 74

Russell Mayes, Jr., 74, of Mountain Home, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Mountain Home. Pastor Craig Kellerman officiated with burial following in Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, McMurtrey Chapel.

Russ was born on April 7, 1929, in Marengo, Ohio, the son of Russell Mayes, Sr. and Delia Mayes.

After completing high school and joining the armed services, Russ married Elizabeth Jean "Betty" Nunn on May 23, 1953, in Kingsland, Ga.

After serving twenty-two years in the United States Navy and United States Air Force, Russ retired as a Senior Master Sergeant and moved his family to Mountain Home in 1970. After his first retirement, Russ owned and operated the Mini-Mart before driving a school bus for 20 years.

He and his wife, Betty, raised three daughters. After the death of his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Gordon Hultberg, Russ lovingly raised their two children, Jeff and Kim.

Russ was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Mountain Home. He was also an avid sports fan watching major league baseball and the NFL, rooting for the Chicago Cubs.

Throughout his life, Russ also enjoyed fishing, spending time with family "and simple things like a cold beer and a good cigar," his family said. "He will be greatly missed by all who knew him as a father, brother, grandpa, and friend."

Russ is survived by: his two daughters, Sylvia Brewer of Boise and Karen Gross of Escondido, Calif.; the two grandchildren he raised, Jeff Hultberg of Meridian, and Kim Hultberg of Costa Mesa, Calif.; five more grandchildren, Gwen Marich, Shane Gross, Randy Swearingen, Tracy Swearingen, and Brandy Trull; and five great-grandchildren; a sister, Jo Gray of Ohio; and brothers Lowell and Harold Mayes, both of Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, daughter, and two siblings.

Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran School, 1190 N. 6th East St., Mountain Home, 83647.