Russell Lloyd Harward

Russell Lloyd Harward was born May 4, 1944, in the maternity hospital next to the Utah Valley Hospital in Provo Utah, seventh son of Essie Knight and James Afton Harward. He passed away quietly early in the morning on June 6, 2026. 

He lived at 1666 S 800 E in Orem Utah, until the 5th grade when they moved to a new home at 1425 S 400 E in Orem, only a few blocks north and west of their previous home. During that time, he attended four different elementary schools: Spencer, Geneva, Westmore, and Hillcrest. He attended Orem Junior High School and then Orem High School, where he played the trombone in the band and had his own Jazz Band. He also participated in track. During his high school years, he worked at the Hi Spot in Orem, but during his college years he worked on campus and at JB's Big Boy in Provo.

He served an LDS Mission in Paris France from 1963-1965. In November of 2012, he returned with his wife to serve in the Paris France Mission serving in the Young Adult Center, returning home in March 2014. When he started at BYU following his first mission, he played his trombone in the BYU Cougar Band and it was during that first year at BYU that he met his wife, Dixie Sampson, following a basketball game.

They were married on April 5, 1967, in the Manti Temple. He began working at Standard Office Supply in outside sales. He worked in sales throughout his life, in insurance, computer, and auto industries.

On December 26 of 1973 they moved to Sioux Falls South Dakota where they lived for 8 and a half years. During that time, they moved from Sioux Falls to Flandreau South Dakota and then back to Sioux Falls where he served as the first Stake President of the Sioux Falls SD Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has served as Sunday School teacher, Elder's Quorum President, Seventies leader, Branch President, District President, Stake President, Bishop, and Counselor in a Stake Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple for 5 years following their mission to France.

They moved back to Utah in 1982, where they have lived since. He made many life-long friends over these many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers, 2 brothers-in-law, and 5 sisters-in-law. He is survived by his wife, Dixie, of 59 years, and his 13 children: Steven (Kristi), Heather Eames (David), Samuel (and friend, Rachel Johnson), Tamera Brownlee (Michael), Natalie Darley (Lee), Monique Butcher (Daniel), Jared (Rachel), Elizabeth Talbert (Leonard), Paul, Penny Mattinson (Ryan), Amie Liston (Sean), Christopher (Camille), and Matthew (Joanna), and his brother Eldon (Judy), and sisters-in-law LeiMomi Sampson and Karen Griffin, plus several nieces and nephews. Also, 74 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with one more coming before the end of the year.

A special thank you to Dr. Mower, Brooke, Cami, and Caleb from Symbii Hospice for the kind services and care they gave Russell especially during the last week of his life.

There will be a viewing at the Anderson Funeral Home, 49 E 100 N, American Fork UT, Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m and on Wednesday at the American Fork 15th Ward, 455 E 300 N, American Fork, UT from 9:45-10:45. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the American Fork 15th Ward, 455 E 300 N, American Fork, UT at 11:00 a.m. and the internment will be at the American Fork Cemetery.