Russell Mefford died of cancer at 6:57 p.m. on Aug. 22.
His devoted wife, Denise, lost a husband. His three sons – Andrew, Austin and Adrian – lost a father. His family lost a member. “As a result of Russell’s death, San Quentin will be a less happy place,” Michael Wolke said.
Wolke said he met Russ, 50, on the Level III yard at Solano. They came to San Quentin on the same bus in 2009 and struck up a friendship that Wolke says carried them happily through these last years.
“Russ was an honorable and principled man who carried himself in a dignified way,” Wolke said. “He was a chef of outstanding quality.” His cellie, Gary Valentine, added, “I’ll miss not only his cooking (in their cell), but also his presence and humor.”
Russ’s co-workers at his prison job where he was a welder in the maintenance department said he would be missed.
His many friends from throughout the years of his incarceration will also miss him. Russ will be especially missed at San Quentin by the ones who hold him in a corner of their hearts.
“Russ, my friend, if there is nothing after this, it was a privilege to know you,” Wolke said. “But if there is a place for the likes of us, well, I guess I will see you there. Rest in peace.”