Russell James Limb passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his wife and the love of his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He leaves behind a legacy of service, hard work, and determination. From humble beginnings on a family farm in Payson, Utah, he became a respected businessman, miner, contractor, pilot, and entrepreneur whose work helped shape Southern Utah for generations.

Russell was born on January 19, 1939, in Payson, Utah, to Lawrence and Klea Limb. Growing up on the family farm, he developed the strong work ethic that defined his life. After completing the ninth grade, he worked in Hutchingson orchard before becoming a logger on Cedar Mountain, where he met Maxine Stratton. They married in 1958 and had six children: Julie, Rusty, Randy, Alice, April, and Ronnie. Russell was proud of his family and found great joy in watching it grow through children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In 1965, Russell became the sole law enforcement officer serving the City of Hurricane as Sheriff during a very different era of Southern Utah. His commitment to serving his community would continue throughout his life. Russell was a lifelong entrepreneur with an extraordinary ability to solve problems and build businesses. In 1970, he founded Russell Limb Construction, purchasing his first backhoe and beginning a career in construction. He established Hurricane Sand & Gravel in 1975, Western States Equipment in 1980, and Progressive Contracting Inc. in 1985. Through these companies, he helped build roads, subdivisions, utilities, concrete structures, and infrastructure projects throughout Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.

Among the accomplishments he was most proud of were pioneering a method to clean and repair the Hurricane Canal, constructing St. George's first bike path, building the area's first professional baseball diamonds, the construction of Sand Hollow Reservoir, and helping lay the infrastructure that supported the remarkable growth of Southern Utah. He took tremendous pride in his work and in knowing that his efforts would benefit generations to come.

Aviation was another of Russell's lifelong passions. In an era when learning to fly often meant learning by doing, he taught himself to fly before earning his pilot certificate. He went on to own and fly several aircraft throughout his life, combining his love of flying with his work and his adventurous spirit.

Russell lived by a simple philosophy: "When your life has a need to learn something, you will learn it." Despite having only a ninth-grade education, he became an accomplished businessman, miner, pilot, estimator, and problem solver through determination, hard work, and a willingness to never stop learning.

Russell was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On June 11, 2016, he married Debra Farley in the St. George Utah Temple, where they began a wonderful chapter of life together filled with love, laughter, and adventure.

He is survived by his wife, Debra; his children Julie and (Danny) Campbell, Rusty and (Lori) Limb, Randy and (Shellie) Limb, Alice and (Tad) Griffiths, April Evans, and Ronnie and (Jessica) Limb; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; along with his three sisters and one brother plus many extended family members and dear friends.

Russell will be remembered as a self-made man whose determination, vision, and work helped build not only roads and communities, but a lasting legacy for his family and for Southern Utah.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service on Sunday, July 26th, from 5pm-7pm and again Monday, July 27, 2026, at 9am-10:30am. Interment will follow at approximately 1:00 p.m. in the Hurricane City Cemetery.

(Due to limited parking available at the mortuary, we kindly encourage family and friends to carpool.)

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to share their condolences and favorite memories of Russell on his online guestbook found at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com