Darren Charles Russ

Darren Charles Russ was born on May 13, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, to Cynthia Russ and Charles Russ. On April 21, 2026, at the age of 57, he was called home - and he will be laid to rest on what would have been his 58th birthday.

A proud son of Chicago, Darren graduated from Wendell Phillips High School before later making his home in Minnesota, where he spent his final years. He carried Chicago with him wherever he went. A trip back home wasn't complete without a stop at his favorite spot, Ricobene's. He also remained a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox, and in Minnesota, he found another team to love, faithfully cheering on the Timberwolves through every season.

Darren lived with sickle cell disease, which kept him from holding steady work, but it never kept him from showing up for the people he loved. He was the the kind of man who never complained - not about the pain, not about the hand he was dealt, not about anything. Instead, he poured what he had into looking out for his family and friends. His love for his children and grandchildren was the steady center of his life.

He leaves behind his mother, Cynthia Scales (Gregory Scales); his children, Darren Charles Russ Jr. (Tabitha Russ)., and Shanta Russ; his grandchildren, Jordyn Russ, Destiny Johnson, Serenity White, Siya Freeman, Kynnedi Alawode, Lauren Howze and Jakobi Carter; and his siblings, Eurthia Johnson (Bernard Johnson), Michael Braswell (Pauline Braswell), Lewis Ford Jr. (Vashon Ford), and Darnell Russ. He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Russ, along with his brothers; William Russ, Robert Ford, and Melvin Braswell.

Darren's quiet strength, his generosity, kindness, loyalty, and his love will live on in every family member and friend who was lucky enough to know him. He will be deeply missed.

Services for Darren will be held at 2PM, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Simple Traditions by Bradshaw (671 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul). Visitation from 1PM - 2PM. Repast to follow service at New Rules, 2015 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411.