Lester Clifford Russell was the youngest of four children born of Albert Franklin Russell and Ida May (Kretzer) Russell. His other three siblings were born in Eastern Oregon, but by 1908, the family had relocated to Jennings Lodge in Clackamas County where his father worked as a millwright for the Oregon City Manufacturing Company. His mother, Ida May, was a homemaker and during the depression years of the 1930's helped support the family by working as a sheep burler at the Pendleton Woolen Mills.
Lester was blue-eyed and athletic. Growing up, he had Bing Crosby's looks and was sometimes mistaken for him. As a young boy in high school, Les was recruited by several coaches to play football and baseball.
Instead, Les chose a life of hard work. At one of his jobs in a Camas WA paper mill, he became injured when he breathed in hazardous chemicals causing lifelong pulmonary problems which would bring his early mortality.
Les married Mae Dean in 1930. They had a daughter (Dorothy Jean), but they divorced 8 years later. During the depression, Les struggled between jobs but eventually found work as a dock foreman for Consolidated Freightways. For many years, Les was the owner of the Lombard Inn in Portland, Oregon. During this time, Les took a second wife, Barbara Oderkirk.
When his health began to fail, he sold his interest in the Lombard Inn in 1951. The last ten years of his life were difficult for Les as he battled finances and his health. He died in March 1961 in Portland Oregon.
Lester was blue-eyed and athletic. Growing up, he had Bing Crosby's looks and was sometimes mistaken for him. As a young boy in high school, Les was recruited by several coaches to play football and baseball.
Instead, Les chose a life of hard work. At one of his jobs in a Camas WA paper mill, he became injured when he breathed in hazardous chemicals causing lifelong pulmonary problems which would bring his early mortality.
Les married Mae Dean in 1930. They had a daughter (Dorothy Jean), but they divorced 8 years later. During the depression, Les struggled between jobs but eventually found work as a dock foreman for Consolidated Freightways. For many years, Les was the owner of the Lombard Inn in Portland, Oregon. During this time, Les took a second wife, Barbara Oderkirk.
When his health began to fail, he sold his interest in the Lombard Inn in 1951. The last ten years of his life were difficult for Les as he battled finances and his health. He died in March 1961 in Portland Oregon.
Lester Clifford Russell was the youngest of four children born of Albert Franklin Russell and Ida May (Kretzer) Russell. His other three siblings were born in Eastern Oregon, but by 1908, the family had relocated to Jennings Lodge in Clackamas County where his father worked as a millwright for the Oregon City Manufacturing Company. His mother, Ida May, was a homemaker and during the depression years of the 1930's helped support the family by working as a sheep burler at the Pendleton Woolen Mills.
Lester was blue-eyed and athletic. Growing up, he had Bing Crosby's looks and was sometimes mistaken for him. As a young boy in high school, Les was recruited by several coaches to play football and baseball.
Instead, Les chose a life of hard work. At one of his jobs in a Camas WA paper mill, he became injured when he breathed in hazardous chemicals causing lifelong pulmonary problems which would bring his early mortality.
Les married Mae Dean in 1930. They had a daughter (Dorothy Jean), but they divorced 8 years later. During the depression, Les struggled between jobs but eventually found work as a dock foreman for Consolidated Freightways. For many years, Les was the owner of the Lombard Inn in Portland, Oregon. During this time, Les took a second wife, Barbara Oderkirk.
When his health began to fail, he sold his interest in the Lombard Inn in 1951. The last ten years of his life were difficult for Les as he battled finances and his health. He died in March 1961 in Portland Oregon.
Lester was blue-eyed and athletic. Growing up, he had Bing Crosby's looks and was sometimes mistaken for him. As a young boy in high school, Les was recruited by several coaches to play football and baseball.
Instead, Les chose a life of hard work. At one of his jobs in a Camas WA paper mill, he became injured when he breathed in hazardous chemicals causing lifelong pulmonary problems which would bring his early mortality.
Les married Mae Dean in 1930. They had a daughter (Dorothy Jean), but they divorced 8 years later. During the depression, Les struggled between jobs but eventually found work as a dock foreman for Consolidated Freightways. For many years, Les was the owner of the Lombard Inn in Portland, Oregon. During this time, Les took a second wife, Barbara Oderkirk.
When his health began to fail, he sold his interest in the Lombard Inn in 1951. The last ten years of his life were difficult for Les as he battled finances and his health. He died in March 1961 in Portland Oregon.
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