ST. GEORGE - Russel J. Walter, age 72, died Wednesday, April 13, 2005, from injuries suffered in a tractor accident. He was born August 24, 1932 in Cedar City, Utah to Russel Heath and Ruth Cox Walter. He married Patricia Gay Hatch, September 17, 1951. Their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George LDS Temple.

After his early years in Cedar City, Utah, Russel's family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. In high school he was a star basketball player and was a high school All-State and awarded MVP player. He later played basketball for Dixie College. He served in the Navy in 1953 and participated in the 1st hydrogen bomb test in Eniwetok Atoll in the South Pacific.

Russel, Pat and family moved to Southern Utah in 1965 where he has worked as a real estate developer and rancher and continued throughout his life. He developed or was instrumental in developing several real estate projects including Brookside Estates, Winchester Hills and Paunsaugunt Cliffs. He enjoyed ranching. He built the Lucky Seven Ranch in Veyo and Hatch, Utah where he raised prize Charolais cattle with his family.

Russel was an active member of the LDS Church. Russ and Pat served a mission to the England London South Mission in 1980 and he also served in various other church capacities. The last couple of years, he and his "sweetie" operated Grandma's Attic in Hatch. Russel and Pat always enjoyed welcoming and caring for their many friends in their home.

Surviving family include his wife, Patricia of St. George, UT; children: R. Mark (Valene) Walter of Santa Clara, UT, Betsy Ruth (Steven) Pillings of St. George, UT; W. Scot (Jill) Walter of Hatch, UT; C. Kyle (Danette) Walter of Winchester Hills, UT; Chris (John) Jacobson of Winchester Hills, UT; Todd (late wife Nora) Humphreys of Hatch, UT; 29 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, one sister, LaFawn (Wesley) Whitehead of St. George, UT. He was preceded in death by son C. Neil Walter, sister, Dorothy Walter and his parents.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. George LDS Third Ward Chapel, 200 West 500 North, St. George, UT. Visitations will be held Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Metcalf Mortuary, 300 West St. George Blvd., and on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Third Ward LDS Chapel prior to services. Interment will be in the Veyo Cemetery at 2:00 pm under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary 435-673-4221. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Town of Hatch Community Fund or Veyo Cemetery Fund.