RUSSELL IVAN SHINN Dec. 8, 2015
If a person is measured by the lives they touch, Russell Ivan Shinn was a legend. Russ passed away at home, surrounded by family on December 8, 2015.
He was loved, and will be dearly missed, by his wife, Suzie Frazier; brother, Art Shinn and sister-in-law, Renee; nieces, Miranda, Mary and Kayleigh; daughter, Jennifer Shinn and son-in-law Greg Sievers; stepchildren, Amy and Christian Piatt, Mateo and Melania Frazier and grandchildren, Michaela, Makaio, Mattias and Zoe. Suzie’s parents, Bonnie and Gene Frazier, her siblings, countless nieces, nephews, friends, previous students and loved ones will forever remember his abundant love and generous spirit. He had a special relationship with each individual.
Born and raised in Pueblo, CO, Russ attended Central High School, followed by Pueblo Junior College and the University of Colorado, where he earned his BA in History. After graduating in 1964, he moved to Los Alamos, NM, where he taught and counseled for 35 years. His continued education included two Masters Degrees at Kansas University and the University of New Mexico. He and his brother Art built a house in Ancon, NM, along the Rio Grande, which he has shared in gracious abundance with all who have come through ever since. For more than two decades, he and Suzie shared fun family gatherings, gardening, camping, boating, hiking, world travel, horseback riding and all that life provided to them.
Even in retirement, Russ was a tireless worker, letter writer, an insatiable learner and an explorer of the mind, spirit and world around him. Family was always his greatest blessing. The world and our lives are far better off having had Russ grace them. He was a very good man. Grace, peace and rest to you: husband, father, grandfather, uncle, teacher and friend.
Be well and know your love endures.
“A Celebration of Life for Russell Shinn” will take place on January 2, 2016, from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Oñate Center 8 miles north of Española, on State Highway 68.
In lieu of flowers, please share a food dish so we may share a meal together!
Memorial Contributions can be made to “The Ancon Circle” at PO Box 482, Velarde, NM, 87582. All contributions will support continuing education and opportunities for local youth, environmental issues, and historic preservation on the behalf of Russell Shinn’s Family.
The family of Russell Shinn has entrusted the care of their beloved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Española Valley. 505.747.7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com.
