Russell Clay Plybon

Russell Plybon

Russell Plybon was born August 5, 1917 in Paris, Missouri to Luther and Leela Plybon. He spent his childhood on his family’s farm outside of Centralia, Missouri, and graduated from high school at Centralia High School. His family was greatly impacted by the great depression. He often visited and stayed very involved with his parents until their deaths in 1986.

After high school, he worked in farming and construction, and eventually went to Kansas City to learn aircraft mechanics. After the Pearl Harbor attack, Russell enlisted in the Navy on January 7, 1942. He was assigned to the Hornet aircraft carrier as a Bombing Squadron mechanic. He was on the Hornet from its initial launch in Norfolk, Virginia until its ultimate sinking on October 26, 1942 in the Battle of Santa Cruz in the South Pacific Ocean. During his duty on the Hornet, he was involved in the Jimmy Doolittle raid on Tokyo, the Battle of Midway, and other battles in the Pacific. When the carrier was sunk, he was seriously hurt after being hit by bomb shrapnel. He was transferred to the San Diego Naval Hospital and spent the next 8 months in the hospital. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal while in the hospital. After recovering, he spent the rest of his service on North Island as a mechanic with an aircraft service unit that travelled around the country raising war bonds. When the war ended, Russell was discharged from the Navy. The Navy, the Hornet, and the DAV remained an extremely important part of Russell’s life for the remainder of his life.

After the Navy, Russell came to Denver in early 1946 and immediately began working as a mechanic for Continental Airlines. He spent his entire working career for 34 years working in Denver for Continental. He spent the remainder of his life involved with the Continental Retirees Association, and developed several close friendships.

Russell attended Trinity Methodist Church in downtown Denver and joined the Youth Fellowship Group. That was the best decision he ever made because he met Dorothy Ormond who was also a member of the group. They met in August, 1946 started dating in January, 1947, engaged in August, 1947, and married on October 10, 1947. While they were dating, Russell obtained his pilot's license and took her flying in a small plane. Most of their other friends in the church group married, and they called themselves the Mr. & Mrs. Group. They remained involved with this group for the rest of their lives. Dorothy was the most loving, dedicated, and loyal wife anyone could ever dream for. They were married for 66 years until her death on August 12, 2014.

Russell used his construction and mechanical skills and built their house. While working at Continental, he built the house in 10 months and moved in February 22, 1954.

Russell and Dorothy remained in their house in Denver for the rest of their lives. They were very involved with family and friends, and they were willing to help where ever they could.

They loved to travel and enjoyed camping in the mountains of Colorado. They took numerous trips and went to many areas inside and outside of the United States.

Russell is survived by two sons, Steven Plybon (65), and Jerry Plybon (63). Steven is married and lives in Texas with his wife Cheryl. Jerry is married and lives in Aurora, Colorado with his wife Ruth. Survivors also include 6 grandchildren (Travis, Todd, Tony, Tim, Nicole, and Andrea), 2 step-grandchildren (Eric and Jill), 4 great-grandchildren (Travis Michael, Cheyenne, Liam, and Michael), and 6 step-great-grandchildren (Jeffrey, Ron, Landry, Audrey, Hayden, and Harper).

Visitation will be held at the Bullock Colonial Chapel on Thursday, June 25, 2015 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Funeral service will be held at Bullock Colonial Chapel following the visitation on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery at noon.

Charitable donations may be made in Russell’s name to:

Disabled American Veterans

Chapter 21

8720 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80220

720-379-3405