OBITUARY: Russell Fred Woods

Russell Fred Woods

Russell Fred Woods, 88, passed away on November 29, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV. He was born on January 9, 1933 in Mesquite, NV to Joseph Fredrick Woods and Orpha Hardy. Russell would move out to Barclay Cattle Ranch to work during the summer and attend VVHS in Mesquite where he played football.

After graduating, he joined the United States Army, where he might have fibbed about his ability to operate tractors. He served in Korea for two years and learned to operate heavy equipment. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Nevada and married Mary Avonell Gifford in Mesquite, NV on August 6, 1955. They were later sealed in the St. George Temple on February 9, 1963.

They moved to Las Vegas where Russell ran heavy equipment for several companies before working for the Nevada Test Site. He and Mary Avonell moved around rural Nevada for several years before buying their home in Las Vegas. He worked paving many of the rural highways in Southern Nevada. After retiring in 1994, Russell got back to church and started to work in the Las Vegas Temple. He served for sixteen years, and loved the service. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many capacities, especially with the youth and in scouting. He was always out serving others.

Russell is survived by his wife, Mary Avonell Woods; his children; Russell Ken (Jacque) Woods, Monta (Louis) Lindsay, Jody (Gisella) Woods, Natalie (Ron) Littlefield, Janet Spendlove, Stacy (Debby) Woods, and Kelly (Diana) Woods; forty-eight grandchildren; fifty-nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; his siblings: Lister (Janice) Woods, Monta (Gary, deceased) Hafen, and Beth (Tuffy) Ruth; and a large extended family. Russell is preceded in death by his daughter, Tiffany (Frank, surviving) Acosta, his daughter-in-law Julie Woods, his parents, and his three brothers.

Viewing services will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2295 N. Walnut, Las Vegas, NV, with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will take place on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 10:40 a.m. at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their guest book at www.moapavalleymortaury.com.