Dwayne Eugene Russell was born April 20, 1941 in Port Gamble to Clifford and D. Marie (VanKeuren) Russell. He grew up in Kingston and became passionate about hot rods spending time with his Dad in the family garage. Kingston is also where he learned to play guitar and began his life long passion for weightlifting at the age of 14.
Dad lost a short but valiant battle with multiple myeloma December 21.
Dwayne Russell graduated from North Kitsap High School in 1959. Following graduation, he went to work on a tugboat in Hansville, a fishing boat in Alaska, and settled on the pipefitter apprentice program at Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill in Port Townsend in 1963. He played lead guitar and contributed vocals in a few local bands in Port Townsend until 1973 and continued to write and play music as often as he could.
He competed in Pacific Coast Powerlifting Championships in 1968-1971 and held the state deadlift record.
He married O. Frances (Kilham) Campbell July 13, 1973, and they recently celebrated their 50thWedding Anniversary.
Dwayne became a member of the Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witness) in 1975. After mentoring and training high school track, football, basketball, and wrestling athletes in his garage for 20 years he and Fran opened the 24 Hour Gym on Tyler Street in 1981. He retired from the Port Townsend Paper Mill in 2001 after 38 years and devoted his time to bible studies, ministering door to door and managing the gym. He reluctantly sold the 24 Hour Gym after 40 years in December 2021. He was very proud the contract guaranteed his membership “in perpetuity” and was still working out as recently as Spring 2023.
Dwayne is survived by his wife, Fran at the family home; his sister, Karen, of Ocala, FL; Children Colleen Russell, Bremerton; Kathleen Nuccio (David), Gig Harbor; Sean Campbell (Sherry), Renton; and Kelby Russell, Port Townsend. Grandchildren Bryson, Andrew, and Jade Dailey, Elizabeth (Ricardo) and Michael (Victoria) Renz, Vincenzo Nuccio, and Malcolm and Seth Campbell Great Grandchildren Maddox, Madison, Malia, Analiyah and Ariella And several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held January 20, at two o’clock, at the Port Townsend Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 120 Logan Street, for Dwayne Russell. A gathering will follow immediately at the Towne Point community center. Please bring your memories and stories to share. The service is available to family and loved ones, out of the area, via zoom. To attend the service remotely, please follow the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83892910102?pwd=bC9GbWh3TlBNM1MwdjBDcC9kM25RUT09
