Elwin Russell Bearly

Elwin Russell Bearly, 94, of Albuquerque passed away on April 16th, 2025 after a brief illness surrounded by family.

Russell was born on April 15th, 1931 to Elwin and Minnie Bearly in Ashland, Kansas. He grew up in Protection, Kansas and later moved to Lansing, Kansas where he met and married Helen Swink. He worked for the Kansas City Terminal Railway and was a US Navy veteran serving in the Korean Conflict.

Russell and his family moved to Albuquerque in 1958 where he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller while also receiving his Commercial Pilot's License. He married Patricia Pampalone in 1973, and became a very successful restaurant entrepreneur. They moved to Oklahoma where Russell resumed his career with the FAA. As an Air Traffic Control Specialist, he served as an instructor to many future air traffic controllers for many years. He retired later and moved to Albuquerque with his wife to care for her elderly parents.

He enjoyed traveling, working with the challenges of the stock market, and spent his life collecting railroad memorabilia. He became a Master Gardener in Albuquerque as he loved working in his yard and growing different plants and flowers.

He is survived by by his son, Gary Bearly; and his daughter, Lisa Bearly, both of Albuquerque; as well as many friends and neighbors who loved and respected him.

There will be an invitational open house on Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be sent to the Animal Humane Society.

Please share messages of condolence with Russ's family in the guestbook below.