Russell K. Getty was born on  December 3, 1894, in Dundee, Monroe County, Michigan as the son of George Frances and Olive (Merryfield) Getty.

On September 10, 1919, he married Helen Lucille Bowman and they had three children:

  1. Eugene Bowman Getty

  2. Betty Margaret (Getty) Masten

  3. Virginia Marie (Getty) Jennings

Russell died on January 28, 1967 in Dundee at the age of 72. He was buried at the Ridgeway Cemetery in Lenawee County, Michigan.

Helen who was born on January 1, 1901, died August 4, 1981 at the age of 80.