Edmond Russ Obituary (1928 – 2022) – Rolling Hills Estates, CA

Mar 28, 1928 – Mar 13, 2022 Edmond J Russ was born March of 1928 in Gardena, California, and passed away on March 13, 2022, to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He died of natural causes. He was survived by his wife Irene Russ and his children, Cynthia Cottrell and partner John Pena, Anne Russ and husband Andreas Lang, Linda Niezgodzki and husband Dan, Janette Roberts, David Russ and wife Debbie. He has seven grandchildren, Bryan Grosh and his wife Vivian Ramos Grosh, Michelle Hemingway and her husband Jerry, Michael Cottrell, Michelle Cloud and her husband Erik, Paul Wisecaver, Carl Wisecaver and wife Brandi, Joshua Bettencourt and wife Jill. Five great-grandchildren Jax Cloud, Jemma Wisecaver, Ryan Myles, Alyssa Myles, and Sophia Bettencourt. Predeceased by his parents Frank and Elvira Russ, and his brother Donald Russ. Ed grew up on his parent’s Star Poultry Ranch at the corner of Redondo Beach Blvd. and Crenshaw Blvd. in Gardena, CA. He worked with his father at a young age in which he learned the business, a sense of business operation, and professional ethics. He graduated from Gardena High School, then joined the Merchant Marines as an Army Transport. He attended El Camino College and received his law degree from UCLA in 1954. Ed met his wife, Irene Rudder from Redondo Beach, at El Camino when they sat next to each other in a Law Class. They married a year later at the First Methodist Church in Redondo Beach. Edmond and Irene were married for 72 years. They resided in Gardena for 64 years and then moved to Rolling Hills Estates. He entered law practice at Davidson and Russ in Gardena. He practiced law in Gardena for over 55 years and became one of the most respected lawyers in the South Bay. Ed also had a career as a Real Estate Broker. He bought property with their saved earnings and started Russ Property Management. With other investors, he developed Russ Redondo Plaza on Redondo Beach Blvd. and Western Ave. He served as Councilman for Gardena from 1968 – 1972, was Mayor from 1969 – 1970 and 1974 – 1982 and was awarded the status of Mayor Emeritus. Ed was a gentleman in everyone’s eyes. A man of integrity, and a devote Catholic. He was loving, kind, gentle, and big hearted. Edmond was active in civic, church, and charitable affairs. A few of his many services to community and accomplishments include serving as Vice President of St. Anthony Padua Catholic Church Guild Association, Chairman of the Gardena-Ichikawa Sister City Committee, President of the Kiwanis Club of Gardena Valley, Grand Knight of the Gardena Valley Knights of Columbus, Gardena Elks Lodge Member, Director of the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce, President of the Rolling Hills Country Club, President of South Bay Cities Association, Chairman of Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, Board of Directors for Republic Bank (Gardena/Torrance), and Capital Campaign to build the Gardena-Carson Family YMCA. Ed started the YMCA golf tournament, raising needed funds. This annual event is title the Edmond J. Russ Golf Classic. Awards include Young Man of the Year in 1960 by the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce, Golden Book Award of Distinguished Service Award 1991, Metropolitan YMCA Award, Gardena-Carson YMCA Golden Triangle Award for Distinguished Service in 1991, Kiwanis Club of Gardena Valley Man of the Decade, YMCA Waller Taylor Award, El Camino College Honors Distinguished Alumni 1997, and 2005 Citizen of the Year. The Edmond J. Russ Interchange was dedicated and named after him for the connection of the 91 and 110 freeways. He loved spending time with his family. They traveled around the United States in their camper, had a trailer in Palm Springs, and later vacationed in Lahaina, Maui. He taught his children to snorkel and appreciate his love of the visiting humpback whales, sea life and the Hawaiian culture. He took the family to UCLA and Raiders football games, was a jogger, participating in 10k’s, and enjoyed golfing, travel, and family reunions. There will be a Rosary at Lighthouse McMillan Mortuary, 1016 W 164th St. Gardena, on Thursday, March 24 at 5pm. Celebration of Life Mass will be held on March 25, 11:00am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church Lomita, CA. The funeral will also be available by Zoom, those interested will find the link at www.lafuneral.com. A reception will be afterwards at San Pedro Elks Lodge between 1:30 and 4:30. Please no black attire, tropical or floral attire is preferred. If you would like to share memories, messages, stories, testimonies, or condolences, please send them to [email protected] You may send correspondence to Irene Russ P.O. Box 2061 Gardena, CA. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to Gardena-Carson YMCA in his loving memory, Attn: Ed Russ Memorial Gifts. Please call (310) 523-3470 to donate, mail check to 1000 Artesia Blvd, Gardena CA 90248, or visit the Gardena-Carson YMCA website to donate online. The legacy that Ed has left behind on this earth is broad and far-reaching. His children have been strongly influenced by his work ethic, his generosity, his love of life, and his compassion. Our family is proud of the legacy he leaves behind, a life well lived!