RUSSELL, Lloyd Carter

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 03/11/2005 Lloyd Carter Russell died quietly at his home in Snowflake Feb. 19, 2005. "I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I˜ I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost (1874-1963), excerpt from his poem, The Road Not Taken Lloyd Carter Russell spent his life taking "the road less traveled by." He was born in Richland, Wash. Dec. 4, 1948 to Samuel Carter and Wanda Jane Turner Russell. He attended Columbia High School, enlisting in the U.S. Army soon after his graduation in 1967. Following his discharge from the army, he spent the majority of his life traveling back and forth across the U.S. The pattern of his life was that "way led unto way," as he tried his hand at a multitude of occupations. He had his own company in Colorado, remodeling homes as a contractor. Changes in circumstances took him down the road again, eventually bringing him to Snowflake, where he purchased a homestead outside of town. "Lucky" lived simply in the desert, enjoying the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, as well as the company of his dogs and a few special friends. He got in touch with his father and the rest of his family back in Washington, getting to know some of the younger members for the first time. He lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident, but not his love of bikes. He loved meeting people, going to swap meets and motorcycle rallies, crafting models, and listening to country music. Above all, he valued living life his own way, despite the cost. Finally, at age 56, Lloyd Carter Russell came to the end of his "road less traveled by," falling asleep next to the woodstove on his desert homestead. Preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd is survived by his sisters, Edna Russell Gonzoles and Ruth Russell Pierson; as well as a nephew, Michael Gonzoles; two nieces, Jennifer and Alyssa Pierson; and a great-nephew, Tennessee Gage McDonnough. His family would like to acknowledge his special friends in Arizona, Geraldine Smith of Taylor, and Paul Ellison, of Snowflake, as well as the many others who watched out for Lloyd following his disability. They would also like to extend their gratitude to the members of the Navajo County Sheriffs Department, for their compassion and continued interest in Lloyd during his final years. Lloyd's final resting place will be in Washington, by the Columbia River he loved so much, following private family services. Friends are invited to contribute generously to the American Humane Society and to their local Veteran's organizations in lieu of flowers.