Russell Oliver Cryder

Russell (Russ) Oliver Cryder, 84, of Riverside, California, passed away peacefully on Monday,

March 11, 2024 in his home, surrounded by loved ones in his final days.

Russ was born on July 30, 1939 in Ventura, California to Oliver Russell and Geneva (Mooney)

Cryder. He was the first of 3 children and grew up with his sister, Roxie and brother Robert

(Gary).

At age 3 his uncle who was 2 at the time, hit him on the head with a hammer. This accident

caused him to suffer from seizures for the rest of his life.

He graduated from Ventura Senior High School in 1957. He was getting ready to serve a

mission, and suffered a seizure which kept him home for a year to recover. He served a mission

for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central America Mission from

November 1959 to May 1962. Where he learned to speak Spanish.

He met Kathleen Loveless, when he knocked on the wrong door while attending BYU. They fell

in love and were married on February 22,1964. They started their family shortly after and over

the next 21 years, they completed their family with 10 children (5 girls and 5 boys). Being a kind

and dependable father was of the utmost importance to Russell and he certainly did not

disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family.

Russ worked most of his career as an Electrical Engineer at the Naval Weapon Station in

Norco, California. He was a very active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints, where he served in many Stake and Ward leadership positions. He also taught Seminary

for over 20 years.

Throughout Russ and Kathleen’s married life, they hosted many foreign exchange students and

their home was a refuge for many others. Once all of the kids moved out, they housed many

missionaries over the years. They served a couple of service missions after they retired, and

they loved serving in the Temple.

After 50+ years of marriage, Kathleen suddenly passed away. After a few years of being alone,

Russ realized he needed and wanted a companion to spend the rest of his life with. He met Pat

Chambers in 2016 and shortly after they were married. Over the next seven years they were

able to travel and they served in the Young Adult Ward.

Russ is preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Geneva Cryder, his wife Kathleen, daughter

in law Kathy Cryder, granddaughter Isabelle Cryder, and great grandson Wyatt Jolley.

Russ is survived by his wife Patricia, her family, all of his children; Sheri Allen (Richard), Kimber

Johnson (Craig), Mark Cryder (Stacie), Michael Cryder (Elissa), Karrin Hunsaker (Gordon),

Christie Darensbourg (Tracy), Paul Cryder (Jill), Jeff Cryder (Danielle), Brandon Cryder, Ashlee

Tengberg (Jeff), 37 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren.