2019/03/obit-voorhis-IMG_0875-184x300.jpgRussell Voorhis passed away Feb. 28 in Pagosa Springs, Colo., surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. Russell was born Sept. 10, 1956, in Durango, Colo., to Willie and Pheobe (Jones) Voorhis. He grew up in Pagosa Springs, enjoying the many outdoor activities and great neighborhood friends. He loved hunting elk and deer with Steve and Gilbert, fishing with his dad, camping — especially at East Fork, and the Denver Broncos. Russell was a retired volunteer of the Pagosa Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Pagosa Fire Protection District. He worked at Hersch’s Market, and later City Market, for 38 years before the effects of cancer forced him to retire. He loved greeting every person he saw in the store, and knew everyone by name. He loved the community and people of Pagosa Springs. He welcomed his daughter, Jessica, Jan. 2, 1986. She was his pride and joy. He married the love of his life, Sandy, Feb. 5, 2010. They moved to Sanford, Colo., to be closer to kids and grandkids three years ago, after he retired.
Russell is preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Phoebe Voorhis, and niece Jayme Voorhis.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy (Rice) Voorhis; sister Vicki (Steve) Buck, of Rockport, Texas; brother Steve (Barbi) Voorhis, of Pagosa Springs; sister Vanessa (Johnny) Gurule, of Montrose, Colo.; daughter Jessica (Jesus) Antunez, of Tahlequah, Okla.; stepchildren: Stacey (Hank) Wills, of Pagosa Springs, Stephanie (Kyle) O’Kane, of Alamosa, Colo., Ky (Kory) Smith, of Sanford, Mike (Kelseigh) Smith, of Pagosa Springs, Jeremy (Kaitlynn) Smith, of Sanford; grandkids: Cathy, Dylan, Brittany, Adrianna, Armani, Destyni, Julianna, Heston, Paitin, Taytum, RaeLynn, Ryker, Hunter, Jacksona and Kimber; and a precious great-granddaughter, Aura. Nieces and nephews: Terri, Matthew, Travis, Michael, Makayla, Myron and Breanna; and Aunt Eula Dunagan, of Whitehall, Mont.
