Russel E. Jones

Russell Jones passed away Tuesday, May 22nd at Enloe Medical Center after living with multiple sclerosis (MS) disease for over nine years. He was 56 years old. Russell was born August 14, 1961 at San Diego Naval Hospital to Marilyn Ann and Merlin Raymond Jones. He grew up in Albany, Georgia, and later moved to California living in Calistoga and Petaluma. Russ graduated from Casa Grande High School then attended Santa Rosa Community College. He moved to Chico, California, following his older brother, a student at Chico State. Due to family breakup, at age 9 Russell lived his formative years in several different foster homes. This experience gave him a strong will to face problems with controlled determination for solving whatever life difficulties he might face. His battle with multiple sclerosis disease was fought with this same self-sustaining attitude. Until MS left him bed ridden he was active in many ways. Russell was employed at the Lyons Restaurant in Chico for 10 years before it closed, after which he became employed in the home care industry working as an Independent Health Care Provider for the Addus Health Care organization. Russell served as member of the Butte County Citizens for Fair Government and later was Vice President of the Conservative Republicans of California. He served as Butte County's Chapter Representative for the Domestic Workers Union. Russell worked on the Union's Committee for Wages and Benefits. He loved to help others, especially care of elderly and disabled persons. Before his complete disability Russell was seen around town in his powered wheel chair, maybe at the Saturday Farmers Market. He liked reality TV shows and Fox News. He served on the church security team and was a technical recorder for one of his church's services. Through the love of a foster care family early in his life he became a member of the Presbyterian Church. It was at Bidwell Presbyterian Church in Chico where he was introduced to Susan Risher in 1988. They married November 16, 1991. Susan very much appreciates the help and love extended to her and Russell by many individual members and support groups of the Bidwell Church, the medical care of Dr. Joel Rothfeld, the staff of Enloe Hospital, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the people at Valley West Care Center in Williams, California. In addition to his wife Susan, mother Marilyn Ann Jones, sister Linda Jones, brothers Stephen Wade Jones and Carl Jones, Russell is survived by his niece Alyse Hazard and nephew Ean Jones. Memorial gifts may be given to the Bidwell Presbyterian Church Deacon Fund and to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Online condolences can be sent to the family at Brusie Funeral Home