1st Lt. Jonam Russell, 25, U.S. Army was killed in action in Afghanistan on Tuesday, July 23, while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Wardak Province.

His parents, Gilbert and Sophia Russell, and siblings live in Northern Arizona. Jonam has family on Whidbey Island including his grandmother Jane Zarifis, of Coupeville, and uncles Steven (Lauran) Zarifis and Mark S. (Marcella) and cousins Caitlin and Alexander Zarifis.

We and many friends and brothers-in-arms are devastated.

RIP fallen warrior.