Russ Mottram

Russell Paul Mottram

July 19, 1980 – August 25, 2024

In a hardly-imaginable and ultimate exception, Russ, who had been a skilled and enthusiastic drummer, skipped a beat on August 25 th . He passed away gently in his sleep in his apartment in Cheney, WA.

Born in Port Angeles, WA to Lorie Garretson (née Hallsted) and Kenneth Mottram, and having lived his formative years in Kalispell, MT, Russ would go on to traverse the globe as a YWAM missionary. He touched many lives and made many friends on these trips, which included playing rock music and performing passion plays. From Montana to Russia, from Maui to Hong Kong, Cambodia and Nepal, Russ wanted nothing more than to do something good for humanity.

Guided by an inquisitive spirit unwilling to accept anything less, he then decided to become a secondary school history teacher. To that end, he was awarded a BA in History and Social Studies from Western Washington University in 2011 and an MA in History from Eastern Washington University in 2016. He held various teaching and para-educator positions in Washington and was gathering research materials to write a book explaining how the USS Turner Joy can serve as a prism for understanding the complexities of the Vietnam War.

Russ was a musician, a history buff, and a good hang. He drummed on everything, was willing to explore complex questions on anything, and he loved to laugh with his friends. He was a generous man who gave to those less fortunate than himself, even when his means were meager. As an old friend of his recently said, he is an “awesome spirit.”

Russ is survived by his mom, Lorie (Dan), his dad, Kenneth (Susan), and his siblings, Robert Mottram and Krista Pettymyers (Jubal), as well as by the many family members and friends who loved him and laughed with him.

A memorial service will be held at the Port Orchard United Methodist Church in Port Orchard, WA on Saturday, September 21.