Russell “Rusty” Ray Lockman
January 17, 1955 – January 12, 2026
Rusty was born in Poplar, Montana to Lyle “Curly” and Hazel (Craigie) Lockman as the fourth of six children – brothers Mike and Don, sisters Carol, Barb and Susie – and was raised on his family’s wheat farm near his grandparents’ homestead.
For those who were blessed to know Rusty, they knew him as incredibly hard-working, of deep faith, devoted to his family, and generous with his time, mentorship and care of others.
As a curious and active student, Rusty enjoyed participating in high school plays, football and wrestling, and served as the yearbook photographer. He greatly enjoyed time spent with his family water skiing up and down the Poplar River. Rusty graduated from Montana State University in 1977 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, during which time he learned to downhill ski, earned his pilot’s license, and skydived 50+ times over the mountains surrounding Bozeman, Montana.
It was in high school that he met the first and only love of his life – Julie Kay (Van Tine). Rusty and Julie married on February 16, 1976, and together raised four beloved daughters – Chandy, Lindsey, Elissa and Karah, and later welcomed sons-in-law Chris, Shaun, and Jade to the family. He enjoyed adoring and teasing his four grandchildren – Cameron, Chyler, Maeve, and Ciaran – along with lots of encouragement to use their lump. They in turn enjoyed adoring him and raiding his closet.
While Rusty’s work relocated the family throughout the West, his deep love of Montana remained, and he could name every mountain range and river across the state – with a special affection for the Missouri River, (Beartooth) Mountains, Fort Peck Lake, and Louis & Clark Caverns.
On family road trips across the West – often returning to Montana for summer and holiday visits– Rusty established a reputation as a road warrior – driving 25+hrs straight, and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the landscape, especially during moments of silence while his family slept. He applied his engineering skills to packing unfathomable amounts of luggage and treasures into the family car, determined to never use a roof rack.
Other favorite destinations included national parks of the West and the Oregon Coast, where many of his children and grandchildren’s favorite memories were formed – flying kites, building elaborate sandcastles, enjoying hotdogs over a campfire, and soaking in the beauty and solitude on long beach walks - rain, drizzle or shine. His family also loved joining him on fishing excursions – including deep sea off the Oregon Coast and on freshwater rivers and lakes throughout Montana.
Rusty served as an unpaid ski instructor for all of his children, grandchildren, and some of their friends – inspiring many family ski trips and fostering a love of gliding down the slopes together, reveling in the beauty of Montana’s mountain ranges, with a unanimous fondness for Bridger Bowl where he first learned to ski.
Despite not being a foodie – Rusty found great joy in meals shared with family and friends, and in trying new types of cuisine, most often while traveling and visiting his daughters. His children also enjoyed introducing him to cideries across the country, and seafood was often a favorite. He developed a refined palate for clam chowder, with a confirmed conviction that Gracie’s from Depoe Bay could not be matched. He again applied his engineering skills to the preparation and hosting of ‘early Thanksgiving meals’ for 70+guests during his daughters’ college years, and in the operation of a backyard pizza oven during holidays. He became an adopted father to many who joined in these communal celebrations and life moments.
As a lifelong learner, Rusty was an enthusiast of American history, with a particular interest in the Civil War and World Wars II. He found great delight visiting as many battlefields as possible and reading every single museum placard. He was an avid reader – often enjoying multiple books at once -and could not help spoiling the ending to every story while offering enthusiastic book recommendations. Rusty was a strong supporter of his daughters’ education throughout their lives – willing to work late into the night on overdue science projects, eager to share in the pride of ‘above average’ grades earned together, moving them in and out of countless apartments in college and graduate school.
Throughout his life, Rusty found great joy in time spent outdoors in his yard, designing and maintaining a beautiful botanical garden, and with a little assistance of Miracle Grow created a gorgeous bounty of blossoms that could be enjoyed across seasons from the backyard patio.
In his final days, Rusty spent every moment connecting with his loved ones and reiterating his unwavering love for each of them. He was ‘solid in his faith’, comforted that he knew where he was going, and had ‘no regrets, no remorse’ while reflecting on a life devoted to loving and caring for others. He wouldn’t give up a single day, and his family is eternally grateful for every moment together.
Add your own words
If you’re reading this, Rusty touched your life as well. Please share a message or memory here. Your submission will not appear immediately, but all appropriate messages will be reviewed and added.
“Nicest guy you’ll ever meet.” My dad always smiles when he uses that phrase to describe about five of his very favorite men. Rusty is among them. I would argue that Rusty deserves that title outright although “nicest” doesn’t even begin to describe all of Rusty.
When you become friends and fall in love with a Lockman girl (as I did my freshman year of college with Linds), you get the unexpected blessing of being invited into the Lockman family and falling in love with every single one of them. Their love is extended freely and unconditionally, and you can’t help but be changed. And hugged.
In our crew of nine of our dearest college friends, Julie and Rusty lived the closest to campus. Just a couple hours away, we reasoned at first that it made sense that Rusty really felt like a dad to all of us. As we reflected though, we noticed that it wasn’t frequency of visits or proximity that gave Rusty that role, it was just Rusty being Rusty. His gentle, steady presence exuded a quiet strength and trust that he would be there no matter what. We never felt judged or shamed though we made plenty of mistakes, just supported and celebrated.
There were times when Rusty would seem more quiet or serious, but his face never failed to light up and transform with adoration any time one of his four daughters would speak. There was a sense that nothing else in the world mattered more to him, just those four girls and Julie. He emanated a feeling of contentment that if all he ever did or had in his life was Julie as his wife and Chandy, Lindsey, Elissa and Karah as his daughters, that would be more than enough.
Of course, he was also a brilliant engineer and leader. A friend of ours worked under Rusty at his job - this was a side that none of us girls got to see. Our friend would marvel, “Rusty is a really big deal,” any time their paths crossed at work. Though he knew Rusty from church, he was in awe of him at the office. Rusty’s humility never exposed his brilliance and leadership.
And church. Rusty’s faith seemed to be in a very big God that never excluded, only welcomed. I would guess that the way Rusty fathered his four girls was a reflection of his view of a God who loves wholly and unconditionally.
I make paintings that read, “How Do I Pour Out Enough Love that They Will Still Feel it When I’m Gone?” I think the answer might be, “Look to Rusty.” Although there was certainly not “enough” time with him, I imagined the love that he quietly and continuously poured out during his years on this earth somehow continues to grow and will continue to be felt for generations. As I said, when that love is extended so freely and unconditionally, you can’t help but be changed. I am changed by knowing Rusty, and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you, Rusty.
Love, Ali
I became a part of the extended Lockman family during my freshman year at Pepperdine when I was lucky enough to share a dorm room with Lindsey. The Lockman family gave me the gift of warmth, touch, and endless hugs - all which my "cold" Minnesota upbringing had somewhat lacked. ;-) Rusty and Julie were surrogate parents to me throughout those college years and after, and truly emanated deep love, devotion to one another and their daughters, and conscious care of all whom they embraced as family, which was a lot of us! Rusty embodied a true masculine as the solid patriarch of his family - reliable, emotionally present, loving, and steadfast in all ways. I am so grateful to have known him and to have been touched by his beautiful humanity. My greatest wish is that I can raise my sons to be just like Rusty. His memory will continue to bless my life. Sending my love and hugs to all the Lockmans and to all who knew and loved Rusty! xo
Jen Rusinko
Rusty, truly the nicest man you could ever meet. You will be greatly missed by so many.
Gregg Aten
I worked with Rusty at Halliburton and although the majority of our communication was through email and phone calls, he was always the nicest person. He left a lasting impression on those that had the privilege of working with him. He was patient, kind, and understanding and will truly be missed. My sincerest condolences to his family.
Deserae Mora Johnson
What I know about Rusty is that he loved Star Trek! It totally makes sense given his love of science and desire to explore nature. It’s comforting for me to know that he is headed toward his own “final frontier”. I know he will boldly go where none of us have gone before. I have hope that we will meet again one day and we might get to share in the exploration of that great unknown.
Jason Turner
This man loved his family! I could tell by the way he looked at them, the energy he gave them and the many years he worked so hard for them. It was a pleasure getting to know him and his sweet family. He will always be one of my favorite men that walked this planet. I’m so grateful to have spent just enough time with Rusty & Julie to be a witness to the strong love they had for each-other & their family. What a legacy he leaves in those he loved so much.
Katie Ford
To honor and celebrate Rusty’s life, a memorial service and multiple celebrations of life will be held across Montana and the Oregon Coast– dates and locations forthcoming.
Donations in his honor are appreciated, and suggested organizations include St. Jude’s Hospital, American Cancer Society, Blood Cancer United, and National Jewish Health where he received remarkable care from the Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Center during his final treatments.
If you’d like to contact the family directly for future memorial and celebration of life details, please contact us here.
