Russell Anthony Costello

Russell Anthony Costello, born January 8, 1941, in Charleston, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026, at the age of 85.

Russell was raised by his grandparents, Ethel “Nana” and David Earl “Butch” Brawley, along with his aunt Pauline and Albert Whittington. In 1949, his family moved to Denver, Colorado, where he attended West High School.

Russell accepted Christ as his Savior in October 1958 during a revival service at Mountain View Baptist Church. He attended West Virginia University before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1961. While stationed in Southern California, Russell married his high school sweetheart, Mary Shannon Christensen, on August 27, 1961, at Mountain View Baptist Church. They shared nearly 65 years of marriage.

Following his military service, Russell returned to Colorado and began a long and successful career with IBM, joining the company in 1966 in telecommunications. His work eventually took him and his family to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he worked with emerging telecommunications and satellite technology. He later returned to Colorado and retired from IBM in 1990.

Russell and Shannon settled in Longmont, where he was deeply involved in his church and community. He served as a deacon, school board member, and youth leader at Faith Baptist Church. He later attended Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte, where he led a large Sunday School class and sang in the choir. After moving to Loveland, Russell served as a construction project manager, office manager at Gateway Baptist Church, and volunteer at McKee Medical Center, where he volunteered until 2021.

Russell was known for his strong faith, dedication to his family, sense of humor, and willingness to serve others. He treasured his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was especially grateful for Shannon’s love and partnership throughout their life together.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Ann and Orville Anthony Costello; stepmother Bernoline; brother Greg; cousin Connie; and infant son, Russell Anthony Jr.

Russell is survived by his wife, Mary Shannon Costello; daughters Carol and Rod Salter, Kris and Dallas Baumann, and Sandra and Jeff Goodro; son Larry and Veronica Costello; grandchildren Tyler and Stacy Goodro, Mikayla and Nathan Fries, McClelland and Jacob Pettigrew, Gabrielle and Nathan Brayton, and Anthony and Alexandria Costello; and great-grandsons Silas and Ezra Brayton.

His family will remember him for his faith, humor, devotion to Shannon, and love for his family. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched.