Russell Ray Collie, age 57, passed away in his Hood River home on December 9, 2023. Russ was born in Hood River, Oregon on March 6, 1966, to Colonel Collie and Nancy (Ward) Steele.

As a youngster, Russ enjoyed cars and airplane models. He loved spending 􀆟me with his grandfather, Maynard Ward, who introduced him to the exciting world of electronics. It wasn’t long before Russ received his Ham Radio License and was talking to people all over the world! Russ was also a talented musician and enjoyed jamming on the piano and guitar.

During Russ’s adolescent years, he began playing team sports. Russ excelled in basketball, football and track. Russ even performed as Danny Zuko in the High School Drama Play “Grease” which was a huge success. He had an intelligent mind and was quite accomplished in academics. Russ loved the outdoors; during summer breaks he worked as a white-water rafting guide in White Salmon and a deckhand at Lost Lake where he met his true love Raelynn (Smith) Collie.

Following High School, Russ pursued his passion for electronics, eventually graduating from the Oregon Institute of Technology. Then Russ and Raelynn were married and went on to build a beautiful family together. Russ enjoyed family immensely. He especially enjoyed long summer camping trips up at Lost Lake where they would meet up with extended family, swim, go fishing, build campfires, and make lifelong memories. Russ and his family resided in the Portland area for many years. He was employed as a senior engineer for Vidco of Beaverton, designing equipment for the medical field, for over 25 years and would often be seen pulling into work on his motorcycle; another fun hobby of his.

Russ was preceded in death by his daughter, Emma Collie, and his mother, Nancy (Ward) Steele. He is survived by his children Taylor, Ella, and Trenton Collie; his grandsons Levi Collie, August Martinez V, and Maze Martinez; his father, Colonel Collie, and stepmother, Tina Collie; his sister, Annette Collie and two nieces, Nicole (Herman) Phelps and Jessica (Herman) Linton, in addition to numerous well-loved relatives, in-laws and friends.

Russ truly enjoyed visiting with people, and he had a big heart! May he rest in peace.

A celebration of life for Russ will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Tucker Road Baptist Church (1455 Tucker Rd, Hood River, OR 97031).

Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.