Russell Bales

Russell Allen Bales (Rusty), 87, of Sun City, died February 3, 2012. Rusty was born the youngest of three brothers to Al and Margaret Bales on May 1, 1923 in Colusa, California. His family moved to Chico where he spent his youth and graduated from Chico High School as Class President. During his high school years he was a football player, an accomplished tuba player, tennis champion, a member of the Antler's, a youth group of the Elks and an Eagle Scout. He was in training with the Olympic Cross Country ski team when WWII broke out. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp at 17. When he graduated from flight school at Williams Field, the instructor announced to all that Rusty was the best student he had ever taught. He was the youngest Army/Air Corp Officer at the young age of 20. He was assigned to the Air Transport Command in China and flew C46 cargo planes over the hump in Burma until he and his crew were shot down. His bravery and ability to track a trail due to his Eagle Scout training enabled him to get his entire crew safely back to base, but only after 23 days of arduous walking and the help of local, friendly natives. This valiant effort awarded him the Bronze Star. He married Nancy Wellman in 1947 and they have two daughters, Beth Taft of Fallbrook, CA and Peggy Guichu of Phoenix, AZ, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was the owner of Russell A. Bales Insurance Adjusters in Redding, California and continued to fly after the war enjoying his single engine Cessna which he used for business and family vacations. He was a true outdoorsman, avid hunter and fisherman and he and Nancy enjoyed camping and traveling across the country. After retirement Rusty and Nancy moved to Sun City, Arizona where he could do what he truly loved most, GOLF. He was a past President of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a true American hero, a friend to everyone he met, a great husband and wonderful Father. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 10233 W. Peoria Ave., Sun City, AZ.