Russell L Medlock

Russell L Medlock, 78, passed peacefully on Thursday November 7, 2013 at the Kolob Legacy Facility in St. George Utah. Russ was youngest of ten children born to Thomas and Carrie Medlock. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters; Dewey (sis) Medlock, Austin, Norman and Kermit Medlock, and Shirley Medlock Een; and brother-in law Kenny Heffernan.

Russ is survived by wife Jean Watkins; brother and sisters Percy Medlock, Lillie Heffernan, Faye Vowells, and Carole Geldien; best friends Jim and Maxine Lavender, and John and Melissa Johnson, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews and friends, whose lives he touched.

The song "I Did It My Way" could have been written about Russ. Russ was the "cool uncle" who loved traveling, and for many years lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, working in and visiting exotic places all around the world, some of them very dangerous. At sixty, he settled down with the love of his life, Jean, whom he had known since his early thirties. They married on their tenth anniversary together, when he was seventy and she was sixty - the first marriage for both.

Russ loved the desert and brought his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor to Mesquite in 2004, when the couple moved here permanently. Russ spent many hours working out at the Rec Center, and followed most sports, including pro boxing and yearly football pools. He enjoyed annual fishing trips to Alaska with his best friend Jim, a good round of golf, a nice glass of red wine and dinner with friends. On the road, he loved catching up with family members and playing cards. His kindness, warmth and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

Russ was a life-long reader and took many classes on a wide range of subjects throughout his life. Although he did not pursue a formal education, he understood its value and set up a scholarship program in 2010 to help family members who wanted to further their education. Russ had a special place in his heart for each scholarship recipient: Nathan Fetsch, Allie Geldien, Kirsten Harden, Caitlin Hibbeler, Haley Hibbeler, Melissa Johnson, Travis Medlock, and Taylor Thune, and looked forward to seeing more family members in the scholarship program.

The Celebration of Life is at 2:00 PM Friday, November 22, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Express, 1020 W. Pioneer Blvd. in Mesquite.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Russ may be made to Kolob Legacy Care at 178 S1200E, St. George UT 84770, or to Zion's Way Hospice at 912 W1600S, #C-102, St. George UT 84770.