Mitchell Russell

Mitchell Crimson Russell left this life on Friday, January 6, 2023. He was 30 years old. Mitchell was born on January 4, 1993 and grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, raised and inspired by his grandmother, Felicity Russell, who was "his world" and taught his love of literature and language by family friend, Gene Cunnar. Charles Darwin wrote that "a man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life," a sentiment that embodies the whole of Mitchell's vibrant life. Mitchell was passionate about learning and teaching, exploring wild spaces, immersing himself in cultural experiences, caring for wildlife, trusting in both solitude and friendship, creating art, helping others, and believing in humor and kindness. He always wanted to be "the reason someone smiles today." He was genuine, charismatic and extraordinarily talented. He could jump from repairing the engine on one of his beloved motorcycles to beautiful leather crafting, climbing mountains, or creating stunning silver jewelry with found materials or precious stones. He loved his family, his partner Jessica, his friends, and his "best friend," Django, his Catahoula hound and constant companion. He truly loved life, and we will miss his own beautiful smile and joyful, selfless spirit. He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 2011, attending his graduation ceremony just days after sustaining dramatic injuries in a climbing accident. Upon his recovery, he immediately joined Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue Team and enrolled at New Mexico State University (NMSU). As a searcher, he was intrepid and compassionate, never aspiring to be a hero, but always heroic in his commitment. He trained hard, including course work with renowned tracker Fernando Moriera of Worldwide Trackers. While at NMSU, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, he accepted scholarships to their Study Abroad Programs in Beijing, China and Cibola, Honduras. He became a student of travel. He immersed himself in languages, experiences, cultures, and skills. He spoke French, Spanish, and Chinese, became a Master Scuba Diver in Honduras, a mountain gorilla guide in Rwanda, and a bartender all over the world, from Shanghai to Paris. He studied raptors in Wyoming, explored pre-Columbian ruins and taught silversmithing in Oaxaca, Mexico, and practiced fire breathing and spinning between his adventures. In 2018, he earned his Master of Arts from NMSU, with a focus in Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages (T.S.O.L.). He taught English at Doa Ana Community College and Colorado State University. In 2022, at Colorado State, he earned his second Master's Degree, in Natural Resources Stewardship-Rangeland Management and Ecology. He had recently secured his dream job, with the US Forest Service, as a wild horse specialist, managing a herd of 300 mustangs in northern New Mexico. Mitchell was truly and always one in spirit with his mustangs, with nature's wild ethereal beauty and timeless freedom. Mitchell is survived by his maternal grandmother, Felicity Russell, his maternal grandfather, Larry Underwood, and his partner, Jessica Robertson. A Celebration of Mitchell's Life will be held at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88001, at 10:30 AM, Monday, January 16. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in support of animal welfare may be made to Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary https://www.skymountainwild.org/ Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance kiipb97@gmail.com. or ACTion Program for Animals, 537 N Solano Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88001 (https://apalascruces.org.)