Obituary

Russel L. DeMauro
March 4, 1924--June 5, 2021 (age 97)

Russel L. DeMauro was born March 4, 1924 to Paul & Wilma DeMauro at an off shute of the railroad at a place Brownlee, although Russ said Messner, Oregon. Russ's father was a section foreman for the railroad so they traveled a lot. After Russ's sister Angela was born, they moved to Boardman, Oregon. Russ as a kid hoed melons and swam in the Columbia River and ran most everywhere he went.

In High School (he would call it "Boardman Sub-normal") he ran track and played basketball. He met and fell in love with Fransces Skoubo and graduated from Boardman High School. Went to CC Camp then he worked in the ship yards welding in Portland. World War II was needing men so Russ joined the Navy. He watched man after man called to war until Russ and one other man was left. So they sent Russ to Pharmacy and Lab Work. Then he was sent to be on a Hospital Ship from Bremerton, Washington, called Benevolence where he was pharmacy Tec then later X-Ray Tech too. To the Asiatic Pacific they helped men of War and prisoners set free. And enjoyed seeing the thousands of boats circle before the signing of the Peace treaty and the war was over for Russ.

Russ was awarded: The Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal. He went home to finally convince Fransces to marry him and they had Anna Marie, Donna Irene, lost a girl child full term, Janice K then came Billie Jo and then Barbara Jean (Bobbi) after they lived in The Dalles, Oregon. And then after moving to Stanfield, Oregon and 26 years of marriage, they divorced. Russ later married Marlene Bissinger and were married a long time until Marlene fell ill. After Russ took care of her for years, Marlene passed away. Every day Russ would visit her grave and put a flower down and tell her the latest news. And that's where they found him passed away next to her grave Saturday, June 5, 2021 sadly. Russ had a place to pray, behind the hay shed. He would pray for anything, his kids, wife, cows and weather. He told Billie they always come true. "I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven one day. I miss Dad." Lovingly your daughter Billie.

Graveside service will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021, 11:00 am at Olney Cemetery Pendleton, Oregon.