Russell Peyton


Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County, CA
Published in the "Big Bear Grizzly" Thursday, September 28, 2006 2:13 PM PDT
File uploaded 20 Nov 2006

This file is part of the California Tombstone Project
http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/california/californ.html

Russell Peyton 89, passed away Sept. 2, 2006, in Lucerne Valley, Calif. He was a longtime 
resident of Big Bear. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 62 years, daughter Carol McIntire 
and son-in-law David McIntire of Corvallis, Ore., son Larry of Big Bear City, daughter Kristi 
of Laguna Hills, daughter Kimberlie of Big Bear City; grandchildren Teri Bird of Colorado, 
Kathryn Louden (Andy), Mark McIntire (Kristin), and J.D. McIntire of Oregon, and 11 great 
grandchildren.

Russ was born Dec. 27, 1916, in Paris, Mo. After graduating from high school in 1934, he 
rode the rails to Longview, Wash., where he was employed by the Long Bell Lumber Company. 
Russ and Ruth were married in Bremerton, Wash., in 1944. He served in the Merchant Marines 
and sailed to Japan in 1945. The Peyton family moved to Long Beach, Calif., in 1952. Russ 
built a cabin in Sugarloaf in 1959. Russ and Ruth opened Peyton Place For Real Estate at 
the bottom of Maple Hill in 1964 and eventually expanded to five offices throughout the Valley.

Russ was president of the Board of Realtors for two years and served as a director of the MWD 
for 14 years. He was a member of Rotary International. and a Paul Harris Fellow. He taught 
real estate courses for San Bernardino Valley College and at Chautauqua High School. Russ was 
a talented actor and performed in numerous plays with the Big Bear Players but will best be 
remembered for his fantastic portrayal of the villain in "Deadwood Dick," a role which he 
reprised for many years, receiving a Best Actor award in 1965.

Russ will be remembered for his quick wit, his sartorial splendor, and his collection of 
fascinating vehicles. He will be missed by his loving family and many friends.