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Early February 4, 2022 Russell Merle Unger passed from this life onto Heaven. Russ was born April 21, 1933 in La Junta, CO to Orlando Jacob and Erma (Hartzler) Unger. The family moved to Pueblo CO where he attended school there, graduating his junior year from Central High School in 1950. At age 12 he started working at the local bowling alley setting the pins up in the back. He also worked at Skateland Roller Rink there, and was a member in the Professional Roller Skating Rink Operators Association of America. Teaching some skaters that went on to the National Championships. He told many stories of his shenanigans growing up! Russ was drafted into the Army in April 1953, trained at Fort Riley Kansas as a field wireman, then stationed in Wertheim Germany until April 1955. He did some traveling during his time there. After his discharge, he moved to Fresno where his parents had moved. In August 1955 he was hired as an installer at Western Electric. While working there he noticed a young operator Carol Watts, and wanted to meet her. One night she went with friends to the roller skate rink on Blackstone. Well so happened he worked there as a floor manager, he asked her to skate with him and she did. They were married August 25, 1956, and celebrated 65 years of marriage last year. After having their four kids they moved from Fresno to Auberry in 1968. Commuting to downtown Fresno for work he drove like a Nascar driver in his green MG or yellow Datson 240Z! His CB handle was the Green Hornet. He loved going to the races in the valley, and had races on the TV every weekend. Even got a quarter midget for his son Virgil to race. Those were great times! Russ retired at age 50 as a supervisor from Western Electric in August 1983. At 88 he was retired longer than his employed years there. Soon after retiring he put together a logging truck, and hauled short logs for local loggers for several years. He continued in retirement with many projects, as he really was a jack of all trades! As a young man he learned how to sew to make himself some shirts, crocheted, drew pictures, newspaper typesetting, learned all about his computer, tractors, backhoes, and could build or fix just about anything. Though he never learned to read music, he could play guitar, organ and accordion by ear. We have recordings of him playing and singing on his old reel to reel recorder. He loved the oldies, and country music, and had great dance moves even with the great-grandkids. He wore out several radios that he would leave on 24/7 in his workshop through the years. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jacob F. Unger. Survived by his wife Carol of Auberry, sister Pat Dubois of Auberry, sister Betty Belloumini of Fresno, and brother Harold Unger of North Carolina. Son Virgil of Auberry, daughter Raelene Fleming (Gary) of Auberry, daughter Shirl of Fresno, and son Paul of Visalia. Grandkids Amber, Robert, Sarah, Brian, Dusty, Ashley, Mitchell, Derrick, Jocelyn, and Alexis. 16 great-grandkids and 2 great-great-grandkids. And many nieces and nephews. He lived a great life, had a great laugh, and will be greatly missed by all! Russell Merle Unger was born in La Junta, Colorado on April 21, 1933. He passed away at his home in Auberry on February 4, 2022 at the age of 88. Sadly, Russell's son Paul passed away in Visalia on February 16, 2022 A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

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Russell M. Unger

April 21, 1933 - February 4, 2022