April 11, 2012–Happy Birthday Russ!!

April 11, 1946 was a day of wonder in Portland, OR.  Baby boy Krecklow was born and his parents wondered, “Where did that red hair come from?”











And so they named him “Russell” which being interpreted means “red-haired one.”


He was a cute little guy, which begs the question, “What happened?”














Russ always loved pets and he had (at various times) cats, dogs, a rabbit, mice, a rooster, guinea pigs, a REAL pig, ♫♪ and a porcupine wrapped in his mother’s coat ♫♪!

Once upon a time there was going to be a pet parade in the land of Klamath Falls, and so Russ’s mom sewed a costume for Russ and he loaded up a portion of his menagerie and entered the parade.

Even though he got in trouble for writing hall passes for friends, and “borrowing” a bass fiddle to play in a folk trio off campus, he did finally make it through high school and into college and the National Guard.












Shortly after that came a wedding and then two baby boys..badda bo, badda bing…










Unfortunately, Cheryl’s untimely passing shortly after the picture on the right was taken, left Russ alone with two little boys to raise.  In that unexpected way things have of working out, a new teller had just come to work at the bank where Russ was a loan officer.  And that is where I come in – for better or for worse!!


Russ has seen a LOT of birthdays in his 66 years.  And while the cakes may all be different, the shirts remain all plaid!





But this birthday is the most important one he has ever had.  Why, you may ask…or maybe you won’t ask but I’m going to tell you anyway…it’s because he is the oldest he has EVER been!!  And he is still on the right side of the grass.  Years may come and years and go, but birthdays accumulate!


Just one more thing…Russ always thought he was Zorro when he was a youngster, and so for his birthday, I have decided to make it so.

The resemblance is uncanny, isn’t it?

Happy Birthday to My Hero – Russ, not that other dude!!