Obituary for John Louis Russell
John Louis Russell of Barnwell, South Carolina passed from this life peacefully and surrounded by family on October 22, 2015 at the age of 87. He was born January 25, 1928 in Troy, North Carolina to Sherlie and Sallie May Russell and was the only son of six children. He is survived by his wife Betty Russell; five children: Rosemary Gibson, Peggy Dean, Terese LaTorre, Dana Coto, and Chris Russell; three grandchildren: Becca Welker, Russell Dean, and Jason LaTorre; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Vicki Harvey, Robin Fields, Mike Harrell and Randal Skeen , all children of his wife, Betty. He was preceded in death by his sisters, parents, and first wife Helene, mother of his children. Mr. Russell was a graduate of Coyne Electrical School, Chicago, IL prior to joining the United States Army in 1946 and serving in Germany during the Berlin airlift. While in Germany, he met and married Helene Louise Theis, from Bergen-Enkhiem, on March 16, 1948. Rosemary and Peggy were born in Germany. After completing his service with the Army, in 1952, the Russells moved back to North Carolina, where the younger children were born and Mr. Russell began his career as a highly respected commercial electrician, working for Duke Power & Electric and later Hunter & Walden. Mr. Russell and his family settled in Laurinburg, NC in 1963. In 1977, Mr. Russell and his family moved to Barnwell, SC where he was employed by Daniel Construction Co. as an electrician superintendent to build the Sandoz Chemical Plant. Mr. Russell's wife Helene passed away April 14, 1991. He later retired from Kimberley Clark Corp. in 1993. Mr. Russell met Betty in 1993 when they were both volunteering at the Senior Center in Barnwell. They were married November 17, 1994 and made their home in Barnwell. They continued to enjoy serving Meals on Wheels until he was well into his 80s. Mr. Russell was a beloved husband, father, son and brother. His sacrificial love for his family was an inspiration to all who knew him. His family prayer at mealtime always asked the Lord to "teach us the infinite power of love". Mr. Russell was a master story teller and conveyed his life lessons and ageless wisdom in the form of sayings that are affectionately referred to as "Daddyisms." For example, his advice to a young person facing a daunting task was: "Grab it and growl!" When someone was tired and tempted to quit, he would cheer them on with: "Give out before you give up!" Never afraid of hard work, he advised those who were concerned he might be overdoing it with: "Don't worry about the mule, just load the wagon." A phrase that typified his character and shaped his children is "hard work builds character". Mr. Russell maintained his youthful exuberance and joy of life, enjoying a good-natured practical joke every now and then. Mr. Russell was a role model and hero to his family and a blessing to everyone who knew him. His happy smile and tender touch will be missed. He lived by a code of honor, always doing the right thing, even when no one was looking. The motto for the Russell Clan of Scotland, from which John Louis descended, is "Virtus sine macula" or "Virtue without blemish." Mr. Russell was the living embodiment of the Russell Clan motto. The family will receive friends at Mole Funeral Home on Tuesday October 27,2015 from 6-8 pm. Memorials may be made in his memory to Hospice Advantage, 115 Blarney Dr. Columbia SC 29223 A private burial will be held at the Russell family cemetery in North Carolina.
Visitation:
Tuesday Oct 27,2015 6-8pm
Mole Funeral Home
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Visitation:
Tuesday Oct 27,2015 6-8pm
Mole Funeral Home
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