The family of Ransom Uliah Russell, 47 years old, of Haines, AK, is sad to announce his passing on September 12, 2024, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was surrounded by his mom, stepdad, stepsister and sister as well as the caring staff at Bartlett Hospital in Juneau, AK. Ransom was born in a town of 42 people, Gilbert, AR, along the banks of the Buffalo National River. He lived the first 7 years of his life in a beautiful hand-built home with no running water or electricity, which shaped his love of wild places and simple things. Ransom spent his high school years in Lowry City, MO with his dad on the family farm where he enjoyed hunting, raising cattle and Chief’s games surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
Through a chance encounter with a kindred spirit who was a guide in Alaska, Ransom landed in Haines in 2001. He spent several years as a guide at Glacier Point and working on the Alaska State Ferry. He developed some of the most amazing friends who became family that led him to call Haines home.
Ransom enjoyed nature, fishing, living in a small town, and watching sports with his grandma. As an avid world traveler, he sought out roads less traveled connecting with people of all cultures. Ransom danced to the beat of his own drum, literally. Just a few of his favorite moments in life were the road trips he took with his mom and stepdad through Mexico, exploring Central America with his dad, being with his sister wherever she lived, going back to the beautiful Ozarks, touching base with family and friends in Missouri and enjoying the day to day life in Haines including pickup basketball games, assisting in Moose hunts, hanging with his buddies at the Brewery, and relaxing at their favorite fishing spots. His free-spirited nature and gentle soul were imparted to anyone that was lucky enough to know him. Ransom lived his life to the fullest, often saying “if you want to do something, what are you waiting for”.
Preceded in death by his father, Thomas Glen Russell, aunt, Teresa Barstow (Aunt T), uncle, Harold Russell (Uncle Hal), uncle, Marc Hanson, maternal grandparents, Evelyn and Bob Hanson and paternal grandparents, Elizabeth and Leory Russell. Survived by mother, Marianne Hanson, stepfather, Doug Glascock, sister, Rainbow Russell, spouse, Bryan Smith, sister, Michelle Knapp, spouse, Tom Knapp, nephews, Landon Smith, Aaron Hodge and Denver Knapp, niece, Bella Knapp, aunts, Linda Russell, Theresa Mahan, Gloria Hughes, Mary Huber, Inez Tichenor, uncle, Hurley Mahan and first cousins Bethany (Brook), Slade, Alex, Blaine, Sasha, Sarah, Hannah, Bandi, Dusty, Willie, Dallas, Alesha, Becky and Kerri.
In keeping with Ransom’s love of nature, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bald Eagle Foundation, baldeagles.org.