Russell John Harris II

Russell John Harris, II of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away on February 19, 2026 at the age of 70 years. He was born in Denver, Colorado to Joseph & Evelyn Harris. He excelled at basketball as a teenager and was a star on his high school team, until a broken ankle sidelined him from finishing his senior year basketball journey. After high school, Russ attended Western Colorado University, in Gunnison, Colorado. He had an incredible love for the majestic Colorado mountains, wildlife, and wilderness. He had thought about making his career with the Colorado Department of Parks & Wildlife. But he missed his family in Denver and had an opportunity to work for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. He was proud to work for the same company our father worked for. Later in his career, he became an on-board mechanic for the Rio Grande Ski Train to Winter Park and would ride the train on the weekends during ski season and make sure the trips went without a hitch. He retired from the railroad after 27 years of service. For the 8 years he took care of our mom, he really enjoyed getting her to love watching sports like NASCAR, Denver Nuggets, & Denver Broncos.

Russ was very close to our father. They enjoyed a lifetime of hunting, fishing, camping, gunsmithing, shooting, working on cars, and creating things in the workshop. The best times were spent working on the family cabin in Westcliffe, Colorado. They both swore the best mountain range in Colorado was the Sangre de Cristo range. It was special seeing that mountain range from the cabin’s deck.

Russ never married or had children. But he made solid friendships that lasted a lifetime and he would be the first person there whenever you needed him. He liked keeping his life simple and always tried to do the right thing. His latest joy was his Chevy Chevelle and taking it to car shows and hanging out with his car buddies, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law. He is survived by his sister, nieces and nephew. We will all remember him as a kind and gentle soul.