Publication Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2013

  Russell Sterling Heater, 55, of Grants Pass died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in Medford of heart failure.A memorial service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Parkway Christian Center, with Mark Skudstad, pastor, officiating. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.since1928hull.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Asante Foundation for the Grants Pass Association of Realtors Family House Endowment, 500 S.W. Ramsey Ave., Grants Pass, OR 97527.He was born Aug. 19, 1958, in Grants Pass to Sherman and Jerry Heater. After graduating from Grants Pass High School in 1976, he attended Southern Oregon University, where he earned a degree in business and lettered twice with the Red Raider basketball team.On Aug. 9, 1980, he married Leslie Pratt, who survives. He began working in the family real estate company in 1982 and purchased the business with his brother Kurt in 2001. At the time of his death, he was co-owner/broker of John L. Scott Real Estate Grants Pass and Team Heater.He served in many roles in GPAR, including a term as president, and was named Realtor of the Year in 2005. In 1992, he served as president of the Grants Pass Kiwanis Club. He was active in various capacities at Edgewater Christian Fellowship and volunteered with many other local programs. He enjoyed the outdoors, sports, music and his family.In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Katie Heater; a son, Michael Heater; his mother, Jerry Heater; and two brothers, Dan and Kurt Heater.A brother, Gary Heater, died before him.