Russell 'Russ' Earl Linnell, 53

Russell “Russ” Earl Linnell, 53, passed away on Sept. 29, 2017, in Kalispell of natural causes.

Russ was born on June 12, 1964, in Conrad to Ron and Pauline Linnell. He was raised in Sunburst until age 16, at which point he moved to Kalispell.

Russell married Gail Danishefsky in Bigfork in 1992 and they were married for 10 years. And to this union were born two sons, Jake and Beau Linnell.

Russ graduated from Flathead High School and proceeded on to attend the University of Montana in Missoula.

Russ’s first job was with Perkins Restaurant in Kalispell, at age 16. He went on to tend bar for Moose’s Saloon and the Garden Bar.

From age 18 through age 51, Russell refereed many different basketball events. This started his love of promoting different events and, in 1996, Russell started Promo Inc. where he was the event promoter. He coordinated numerous 3-on-3 basketball tournaments here in the Flathead Valley, Bellingham, Washington, and Los Angeles.

Russ was an organ donor and was able to help numerous recipients.

Russ loved the Dallas Cowboys and the Montana Griz. He loved barbecuing at the Woll Farm and Griz tailgating. He also loved fishing with his lifelong friend, Steve Woll, and doing absolutely anything with his sons, Jake and Beau.

He is survived by his parents, Ron and Pauline Linnell, of Bigfork; along with his sons, Jake and Beau Linnell, from Bozeman. He is also survived by his brother, Raymond (Lisa) Linnell; and sister, Renee (Ken) Foote.

Russ was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl and Clara Linnell, and Fred and Irene Lewis.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Bethany Lutheran in Bigfork. A reception will follow at the Marina Cay of Bigfork.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.