Lynn Russell Wilson

It is with profound sadness that the family of Lynn Russell Wilson announce his peaceful passing on January 16, 2026 at the age of 79. He was a devoted husband of 56 years, loving father, and brilliant engineer. Known for his wit, he will be sorely missed by his family and all that loved him.

Lynn was born March 29, 1946, in Roswell, New Mexico, to Bettie Core and Donald Wilson. His father served in the U.S. Air Force, and Lynn spent parts of his childhood living in Texas and abroad in both Sidi Slimane, Morocco and Goose Bay, Labrador. The family later returned to Albuquerque, New Mexico during his teenage years where he graduated from Highland High School. Lynn studied Electrical Engineering at the University of New Mexico and while there met his future wife, Sara "Vicki" Hartzell. They married in January 1968 and graduated later that year. The couple moved to California's Bay Area to start a life and family together. Lynn and Vicki soon welcomed two children, David and Daniel. Lynn later earned a Master's degree from the University of Santa Clara before they returned to Albuquerque in 1979 to be closer to family.

Lynn began his career building electronic defense systems for Sylvania before specializing in software development at companies including Darcom, the Lovelace Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute, Excalibur Technologies, EDS, Sandia National Laboratories, and ID Micro. He enjoyed wood carving, refereeing soccer, raising tortoises and training his dogs in scent tracking. Together Lynn and Vicki found great community and friends among the many dog related organizations around Albuquerque including the Sandia Dog Obedience Club (SDOC) and Rio Grande Kennel Club.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Bettie Wilson and Donald Wilson, and by his wife, Sara "Vicki" Hartzell Wilson. He is survived by his siblings Gail Williams (Jim), Lewis (Barb), Matthew (Susan), his sons David (Carla), Daniel (Marcea), and his grandchildren Benjamin (Viktorija), Peter, Ashley, Joshua, Noah, and Sara.

A service to honor and celebrate Lynn's life will be held at FFRENCH-Wyoming on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM. All friends and family are invited to attend and share their memories. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Sandia Dog Obedience Club, PO Box 93053, Albuquerque, NM 87199 or to cancer research.