Russell Eugene Moulton

Russell Eugene Moulton, beloved husband and father, passed away on April 28th 2017 at 60 years of age.
Russell was born to Eugene and Lillian Moulton in Redlands California on February 5th, 1957, the third of four children. He spent his early years growing up in California, Virginia, and later Montana. On August 5th 1984, in Big Sky Montana, Russell wed the love of his life, Laura Jean Andriolo. Together they had three sons, Dashiell, Tyrell and Traven, and a daughter, DeLayne. Russell’s children were his pride and joy, and after they reached adulthood he enjoyed spending more time with his beloved Laura. After attending his son Tyrell’s wedding in New York he took Laura on a trip to see Niagara Falls, and recently this year they enjoyed a trip to Canada. In general Russ has tried to spend as much time with his true love as possible, including taking her to dinner, going to the movies, or just snuggling together on the couch watching TV.
Above all else Russell loved doing things for his family. He was the household’s most talented chef, happily serving up fluffy Saturday morning pancakes, crunchy bacon, juicy steaks and savory handmade burgers. Not only did he work hard to support his family but he was always finding other ways to help improve their lives. He hand crafted furniture such as tables, quilt stands and even a bunk bed, he landscaped and tended to the yards, trained the family dogs, and repaired broken things with such frequency that it earned him the nickname “Daddy-fix-it”. He supported his children in all their academic and extracurricular pursuits, often volunteering his time to help in their endeavors, he listened and offered advice on social, school and financial matters, and even after they had moved out he would happily come over to their houses to offer assistance on whatever projects needed to be completed. He was a man who loved his family above all and gladly gave everything he could for them. He would often say that what was most important in life is taking care of people, especially family.
Russ greatly enjoyed discussing things, such as politics, philosophy and entertainment. He was always particularly happy when having a conversation with one of his children, and loved hearing them share their thoughts and opinions. He was an avid reader, a lover of movies, and a lifetime football fanatic. He seriously appreciated physical activities, in particular exercising and practicing martial arts. One of his exercise sayings was that he may have an old man’s keg, but he still had a six-pack underneath. He was also an aspiring artist and several of his drawings and wood carvings are exhibited around our home. Russell was noted for having quite a sense of humor, at times wry, at others pretty goofy, but always leaving everyone in stitches. He also had rather impressive facial hair, winning Best Beard for the Missoula County Sheriff’s Department for No Shave November in 2015.
Throughout his life Russell resided in many different cities, until 1993 when he and Laura settled in Missoula. Russell worked a variety of positions, amongst them being employed as an oil field worker, a retail manager and a financial advisor. Eventually he became a Detention Officer for the Missoula County Sheriff’s Department, a position he held until his death.
Russell was proceeded in death by both his parents. He is survived by his loving wife Laura Moulton, his children Dashiell Moulton, Tyrell and Ali Moulton, Traven Moulton and Laura Anne Earhart, DeLayne Moulton and Marcus Gray, his sister Jeanne Avery, his sister Joanne and Karl Krahnert, his brother Jim and Dabney Moulton, his in laws Richard and Sharon Andriolo, brothers in law Ron and Jane Andriolo, Kevin and Katie Andriolo, and sister in law Maria and Tony Titus, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was an exemplary father and loving husband, a man who dedicated his whole life to the happiness and wellbeing of his family, he will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
A memorial for Russell Moulton will be held at 2pm on Friday May 5th at the Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.