Russell Fullmer Gale, CRNA, beloved son of Steven E. and Camille Gale, passed away on January 18, 2024, after an intense and courageous battle against a rare form of bone cancer.
He exhibited a pleasant attitude throughout his most trying times. He was a light and an inspiration to all who knew him, and his passing is acutely felt by his family.
Russell was born on May 2, 1987, and lived his early years in Delta, Utah. He was exuberant by nature and always approached life with enthusiasm. He enjoyed hiking in the splendid scenery of the Utah national parks with his family. He participated in the scouting program with the Utah National Parks Council, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Russell was musically talented and often played the piano for enjoyment. He reached a high skill level on the piano and also played the saxophone in the Delta High School band.
After graduation from high school, Russell enrolled at Southern Utah University (SUU) and studied for two years toward a degree in nursing. He then accepted a mission call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served for two years in the California, Los Angeles Mission. Russell then completed his nursing degree at SUU, and then accepted a job with Intermountain Health Care at the Cedar City, Utah hospital. At this time, he cared for patients on the medical/surgical floors and in the intensive care unit.
When Russell decided to increase his medical skills, he applied for a position at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, where he earned his degree in nurse anesthesiology. He extended and broadened his horizons at this time by moving to several different cities in the U.S. where he served a series of three-month residencies to complete his degree.
Russell’s first employment after earning his degree was in Gillette, Wyoming, at the Campbell County Medical Center. He then applied for and accepted a position in Fallon, Nevada with the Banner-Churchill Community Hospital. Russell loved Fallon’s atmosphere and sense of community, and soon felt like he fit right in. He treasured the many strong friendships that he formed among those people that he associated with at the hospital and with his many friends in the community. He knew that there was not a finer group of people anywhere than those that he found in Fallon.
Russell is survived by his parents: Steven E. and Camille Gale; and his siblings: Thomas, Deanna, Roger, and Daniel. He was very attached to his brothers and sister and they meant a great deal to him.
Russell and his family appreciate the care and compassion shown by his friends in the community of Fallon and at the Banner-Churchill Community Hospital during his long illness.
This obituary was originally published in the Millard County Chronicle Progress.