Obituary of Russell William Evitt

Russell William Evitt passed away March 18, 2011 at the age of 88. He was born at home in 1923 at the Evitt Dairy in El Centro, CA to Pauline Confar, from Chromo, Colorado and George Evitt from DeLeon, Texas. George's mother was a full-blooded member of the Cherokee Nation. It was a simple beginning to what would be a distinguished and very successful life. As a youth he worked at delivering newspapers and dry cleaning on a bicycle while helping in the family dairy. When his country called, like many men of the time, he enlisted right after high school in the Army. The Army Air Force valued his abilities so much that after training in Texas they sent him to Yale University for further education and he applied this in his assignment to the 862nd Bomb Squadron B-17 crew as navigator stationed in Hull, England with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Russell flew 26 unescorted (without fighter protection) weather reconnaissance missions over Germany and saved his pilot and crew when their radio, navigational equipment and fuel tanks were shot up twice. The plane had suffered extensive damage but his knowledge of celestial navigation got them back to Belgium safely, the only B-17 to survive in his squadron on one occasion. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, 5 Bronze Stars, and the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. After those 26 missions he volunteered for 31 more with the Air Scouts, (twice the normal amount) which were secret missions, in the European theater. He was then sent home to Los Angeles where he met and married his wife of 65 years, Doris (Dollie) Martin (Father, Joseph Frank Martin and Mother, Marguerite Flo Hill). Soon after the war, in 1948, they moved to Amador County where they raised three children, cleared and managed a working cattle ranch, all while working at Winton Lumber Co. as a laborer using a jackhammer. It was not unusual for Russell to have begun at an entry level position and end up as the Executive West Coast Senior Vice President of Bendix International Lumber Division overseeing seven west coast lumber mills. He established and brought into existence the Martell Particle Board plant that still runs today. He had a huge impact on employment and successful jobs for hundreds of families in Amador County for many years. Not being content with these accomplishments he ran and won election to the Amador Board of Supervisors as well as serving as Foreman of the Grand Jury. He pursued both a CPA and a law degree while performing all his other duties and maintained an A average until he had a collapsed lung that cut short this pursuit. As if all of these achievements were not enough he and Dollie rented and later purchased a Sutter Creek building where they began a very successful and acclaimed antique store for forty plus years. They established a well recognized business that showcased a fine line of museum quality American furniture. Examples of this caliber of furniture are exhibited today in the White House. His interest in fair and competent local government also occupied much of his time in his later years and he brought his many skills to the table and freely gave of himself for his community. He was the youngest applicant to rise so quickly in the Volcano Masonic Lodge to a Master Mason in 1950 and achieved recognition for 60 plus years as a Past Master Mason. He also was well recognized in the Eastern Star organization. His was a distinguished, eventful and giving life to many, many people in all walks of life as well as his family and friends. He has a legacy of accomplishments that will be hard to surpass. He was -and is - an example of what is possible with talent and commitment. His God given traits and talents will be greatly missed and not easily forgotten for those who called him friend and will leave a large void in the lives he leaves behind, who loved, admired and respected him. We commend him to God and know he will be well valued and needed in his new endeavors in his next stage of existence and yet another opportunity for contribution. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, three grandsons, sister, 2 nieces and his Siberian Husky, Nicholai. Viewing will be March 29 at Daneri Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Graveside services are March 30 at 1 p.m. at the Sutter Creek City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests any contributions go to the Schriners Children Hospital at 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817. Phone 916-453-2000.