Russell Owen Bloxham

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Meeting ID: 961 9201 4898

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Russell Owen Bloxham, 65, of Rigby, passed away Thursday, February 24, 2022 surrounded by family at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He was born January 27, 1957 in San Diego, California to Tex Owen Bloxham and Alice Rae Cramer Bloxham. Although he did live for a few years in Los Angeles, California, he was raised mainly in Rigby, Idaho. Russell graduated from Rigby High School in 1975 where he had been engaged in band, electronics, and math. He attended classes at Ricks College before serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seoul, Korea from 1976 to 1978. Russell later earned an Associate’s degree in Computer Science from Park College.

Upon returning from his mission, Russell worked for Idaho Fresh Pak as a proctorman and Pete Mickelsen & Sons Masonry as a hod carrier until April 1981.  At that point, he began his service in the United States Air Force where he was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, completed two temporary duty assignments to Saudi Arabia, a remote one-year tour to Osan and Taegu Air Bases in South Korea, and finished his service at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho as a Staff Sergeant in 1987.  He received several awards, including Airman of the Quarter, NCO of the Quarter, and the Air Force Achievement Medal for meritorious service as a result of his dedication and innovation in Inventory Management.

After his military service, Russell worked for Gate City Steel/Pacific Steel, the Idaho Falls School District #91, and Chase/Union Camp Packaging. In 1992, Russell began employment with Yost as a copier technician.  He continued performing in this capacity for about 24 years for Ikon Office Solutions, Ricoh USA, and finally Valley Office Systems. Russell was frequently commended by his supervisors and by management as a hard worker whose positive work ethic and attitude directly correlated to the success of the business where he worked.  Unfortunately, health issues forced Russell to take disability in 2016 and leave the work he genuinely loved.

Russell was married to Peggy Lee Peterson in the Idaho Falls LDS temple on March 16, 1979. After completing his military service, they built their own home near Rigby, Idaho with the help of family and friends as they could afford to pay for it. This has been a project they both shared and dreamed together.  They had one son whom they considered their greatest achievement.

Russell was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his life, he served as a scoutmaster, membership and finance clerk, Cub Scout leader, elder’s quorum president, building coordinator, high priests secretary, and other assignments. In his callings, he led by example through love and service for others. Russell was also a licensed ham radio operator and enjoyed using ham radio as a means of emergency preparedness and to communicate with other ham radio operators in the area and across the country. He earned the Extra class designation and held the call sign of KF7BX.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Lee Peterson Bloxham, of Rigby; son, Dayne Bloxham (Kayla Bach), of Cambridge, Massachusetts; brothers, Forrest (Myrrie) Bloxham, of Thatcher, Utah, Karl (Brenda) Bloxham, of Roy, Utah, Doug (Christy) Bloxham, of Rigby, and Paul (Rachel) Bloxham, of Eagle Mountain, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his father, Tex Owen Bloxham, and mother, Alice Rae Cramer Bloxham.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the 4100 E LDS Church at 364 N 4100 E, Rigby, Idaho. A viewing will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the church. Interment and military rites will be held at the Ucon Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.