Thomas Russ

Remembering a life of family and adventure

Thomas Russ, 75, of Jackson, Wyoming, passed away on October 29, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones, after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Thomas built a life centered on family and friends, as well as a love for the National Parks. In the late 1970’s Tom started Russ Landscaping in Maryland, serving customers in Howard and Carroll counties. During this time, he also ran the Russ Christmas Fair each December, selling Christmas trees at the Howard County Fairgrounds.

For 25 years, he owned and operated Russ Country Gardens & Gifts, a retail gift shop in Taylorsville, Maryland. Through the shop, Tom became a cherished part of the community, supporting local schools and youth sports teams. More than a place to shop, Russ Country Gardens & Gifts was a beloved community gathering spot, where neighbors came together over frozen custard and snowballs. He retired to spend moretime with his grandchildren, embracing the opportunity to share in their lives.

A frequent visitor to the Tetons, Tom made the area his home in 2019. He loved spending time in the national parks and spotting wildlife. When family and friends came to visit, he happily took on the role of “family tour guide – TomTom Tours,” sharing the places and experiences he enjoyed so much.

Tom is survived by his wife, Denise; his daughter, Christy; his son, Andrew; his daughter-in-law, Sarah; his three grandchildren, Abby, Olivia, and Lilly; his sister, Charlotte Bowen; and brother, David Russ.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, November 18 th , 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Member’s Lounge at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson WY. Family and friends are invited to gather and share memories.

A memorial will also be held in Maryland during the spring of 2027.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tom’s memory to the St. John’s Health Cancer Center Campaign (https://donate.stjohns.health/a/cancercenter) or The Grand Teton National Park Foundation (https://www.gtnpf.org/).

Memories and condolences may be shared at: https://www.grandtetonfuneralhomejackson.com