Russell Maynard Saurey was born at his family home in Columbia Falls, Mont. By his sister’s account, the midwife shewed her away, and soon she heard a baby crying. When she was allowed to come out, there was Russell Maynard crying on the kitchen table being tended to by the midwife.
He lived the kind of childhood that is lost for so many children of later generations. He spent long days exploring and getting into mischief on the family land. The stories of that time are full of joy, wonder and impish antics. He passed this childhood on to his children, spending countless hours with them, exploring the outdoors, learning the names of the trees, the flowers, the birds, the bugs. And this joy has been passed down to his children’s children.
His childhood was shaken when his loving mama passed when he was 15. He missed her till the day she led him home. He went to University at Montana State for a bit before joining the US Navy. That choice to join the Navy was pivotal. He became a Lieutenant Commander and an accomplished naval pilot and most importantly, met the love of his life, Libby. Every single morning he greeted his bride with “Good morning you beautiful thing.” Every night he ended the day with “Night night, I love you.” They had three daughters and together with their three youngest girls, they adventured wherever the Navy took them. Stories from this time are full of the complete joy of raising their girls, getting to know new places, and loving each other through highs and lows. Russ was an inventor and builder of swings, stilts, playhouses, and worlds of whimsy and fun. His patient presence and love sustained his family through all the changes and challenges of military life and beyond.
After retirement in 1976, the family moved to Pensacola to be closer to Libby’s mother. They then welcomed their fourth daughter in 1980 and Russ poured all his time, love, effort, mischief and self into raising her and spending time with his daughters and 10 grandchildren. That fourth girl ended up giving him 4 more grandchildren for a grand total of 4 children, 14 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren whose lives are enriched by his understanding of the world and his way of living in it. He truly laid so many cornerstones for a joyful life for all of us.
Russ was a faithful Catholic with one goddaughter, Eliza. He modeled for her and his entire family a commitment to his faith that endured till the very end.
The lessons we learned from him are many, but among the most important are:
- Love God and love others.
- Show up for the people who have been put on your path. Always show up.
- Help whenever and wherever you can without conditions, without recognition, just help.
- Love nature and let nature love you in return. Find joy in a storm rolling in, birdsong at sunrise, a ripening tomato in a garden you tend.
- Find wonder, see it in the mundane things, and rejoice in the miracle of it.
- Children are to be treasured and honored. Love them unconditionally and completely.
- Make things, grow things, create things.
- Tell your stories and the stories of your grandmothers and grandfathers. Children need all the stories of their past.
- Try to fix what you can.
- Marriage is a holy vocation. It is for the long haul and requires you to love as God loves, with patience, grace, joy, wonder and complete commitment.
- Mischief is marvelous. A well timed phrase or silly response can make the people you love laugh. Laughter is good.
- Be yourself and find the people who love you as you are.
- You are beautiful, everyday, always. Ask his wife or daughters, he always let us know.
- You can only see the stars when it’s dark, look for the stars in the darkest places and find wonder in them.
- Never miss a chance to give or accept a hug, a hand held out or an “I love you”
- True strength is a quiet gentleness that does what needs to be done for the people you love.
- Never stop learning. Read, listen, discuss.
- And, the last thing he taught us, is that if you love your people well, that love will sustain them as they journey here on Earth and will help to lead them home.
These and thousands of other lessons and his endless love for us are his gift and his legacy. Our children’s children’s children will be impacted by the trickle down of his love. He poured so much love and joy into us, that it will spill over for generations.
Thank you Daddy, for this life, and for teaching us how to live it.
Russ is survived by his wife of 72 years Libby, his daughters, Angie, Dawn Marie, Suzie and Amy. His sons-in-law Simon, Harry and Ricardo, his grandchildren Becky, Sally, Jaime, Lisa, Jon, Paul, Russell, Zac, Josh, Jessica, Sofía, Eliza, María, and Emma Lu and many great-grandchildren.
May the Divine Assistance remain always with him, and may his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 4 p.m., Friday, June 26, 2026 at St. Clare Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St., Shiloh, Ill. with Rev. Paul Wienhoff. presiding. Russ’s remains will be laid to rest at a later date at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fla.
