Russell D Davenport

Russell Deane Davenport, 92, of Chesterfield Township, formerly of Royal Oak, Anchorville and Marysville, died Thursday, March 24, 2022.

He was born October 1, 1929 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Kenneth and Jessie Davenport.

Russell was born in Saginaw, but spent most of his early years in Royal Oak. He graduated from Royal Oak High School and attended Wayne State University where he earned a degree in Business. He served in the USAF from September 1950 until March 1954, spending most of that time in Post-War Germany. After his honorable discharge he began a long career in Banking.

Russell married the love of his life, Donna Ross, on August 2, 1975 and they began a new life with a blended family of 8 children. Camping with the family was one of his great joys and he always made a vacation from work a vacation for his family.

His life with Donna included high school graduations, weddings and grandchildren, a move to his first retirement home in Anchorville, along with sailing and as a researcher for a book called “Heritage of Ira Township” that was published in 1990. He sang with the New Baltimore Chorus, and acted in four plays with the MCC Performing Arts.

A second retirement home, a 34-foot Bounder RV was his dream come true. He loved driving with Donna through the U.S. and Canada, and by air to Scotland and Spain. They settled in California where they volunteered at the Red Cross, and served his church and community.

Russell felt the many blessings of his life in Christ were culminated when they moved back to Michigan and settled in Marysville. They loved to go to the river walk and watch the freighters go by and they rarely missed attending the night before the Mackinac sailboat race in Port Huron.

He is survived by his wife Donna; six children, Rene’ (Michael) Hawarny, Peter (Leigh) Davenport, Anne (David) Clahassey, Mark (Linda) Davenport, Debra (Stephen) Carlin and Sandra Knaak; his sister, Kay Collins; sister-in-law, Dorothy Davenport; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Lisa Rossow and Pamela Kirby-Young; a brother, James Davenport; and brother-in-law, Dennis Collins.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2022 in Colonial Woods Missionary Church Venue. Pastor Ann Harrington will officiate.

Burial will be in the Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Woods Missionary Church Youth Ministries.

Arrangements are by the Marysville Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit marysvillefuneralhome.com