Allen W Russell
September 21, 1946 — November 17, 2022
Lt. Col Allen W. Russell (ret), 76, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on November 17, 2022.
Allen was born on September 21, 1946, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to the late Kenneth L. and Virginia E. (nee Copland) Russell.
His is survived by his wife and life partner of 54 years, Marsha (nee Newlands) Russell of Jacksonville, Fl; son Jeffrey A. Russell (Amy E. Harris) of St. Johns, Fl; his granddaughter Brooke E. Russell also of St. Johns; sister Beverly J. Russell (Bruce Ebbeson) of Holden, MA; brother Donald C. Russell (Alison Angel) of Hull, MA.
Allen grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts graduation from North High School and Worcester State University, with a degree in Biology and Secondary Education, and a Master of Education degree from Sul Ross State University.
He had always had avid interests in aviation and electronics. Throughout his life he was an early adopter of technologies, building Heath Kit computers, telescopes, and radios. In 1969 he realized his dream of flying when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. As a fighter pilot, Allen flew the T37, T38, AT-38, F4, and A10 serving as a flight instructor and squadron leader, where he mentored hundreds of aviators. "Dad" as he was nicknamed by his squadron, was supported by his wife, Marsha, and son, Jeff, accompanying him overseas and throughout the United States. He retired from the Air "Force after 20 years of service, having logged over 3,200 hours of flying achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After retirement, Allen flew for TWA, before fulfilling his passion of teaching. Allen taught for 21 years for the Lindbergh School District, at the Sperring Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he again mentored his students in following their own dreams. He was awarded "Teacher of the Year" for Missouri 2006-2007 and "Inspirational Teacher of the Year" for Missouri in 2015.
Upon retiring from teaching, Allen and Marsha moved to Florida to live closer to their family. Allen's granddaughter, Brooke, was his joy. He enjoyed walking the Florida beaches and working in his garden. Still following his passion for aviation, he built and flew radio control model airplanes, he attended air shows, and he watched the Cape Canaveral rocket launches from his front yard. And he was a long time Celtics and St. Louis Cardinals fan.
The most dear passion was his family, who will miss him beyond words.
Family requests donations be made in Allen's honor to the American Cancer Society or Wounded
Warrior Project.
Allen was born on September 21, 1946, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to the late Kenneth L. and Virginia E. (nee Copland) Russell.
His is survived by his wife and life partner of 54 years, Marsha (nee Newlands) Russell of Jacksonville, Fl; son Jeffrey A. Russell (Amy E. Harris) of St. Johns, Fl; his granddaughter Brooke E. Russell also of St. Johns; sister Beverly J. Russell (Bruce Ebbeson) of Holden, MA; brother Donald C. Russell (Alison Angel) of Hull, MA.
Allen grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts graduation from North High School and Worcester State University, with a degree in Biology and Secondary Education, and a Master of Education degree from Sul Ross State University.
He had always had avid interests in aviation and electronics. Throughout his life he was an early adopter of technologies, building Heath Kit computers, telescopes, and radios. In 1969 he realized his dream of flying when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. As a fighter pilot, Allen flew the T37, T38, AT-38, F4, and A10 serving as a flight instructor and squadron leader, where he mentored hundreds of aviators. "Dad" as he was nicknamed by his squadron, was supported by his wife, Marsha, and son, Jeff, accompanying him overseas and throughout the United States. He retired from the Air "Force after 20 years of service, having logged over 3,200 hours of flying achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After retirement, Allen flew for TWA, before fulfilling his passion of teaching. Allen taught for 21 years for the Lindbergh School District, at the Sperring Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he again mentored his students in following their own dreams. He was awarded "Teacher of the Year" for Missouri 2006-2007 and "Inspirational Teacher of the Year" for Missouri in 2015.
Upon retiring from teaching, Allen and Marsha moved to Florida to live closer to their family. Allen's granddaughter, Brooke, was his joy. He enjoyed walking the Florida beaches and working in his garden. Still following his passion for aviation, he built and flew radio control model airplanes, he attended air shows, and he watched the Cape Canaveral rocket launches from his front yard. And he was a long time Celtics and St. Louis Cardinals fan.
The most dear passion was his family, who will miss him beyond words.
Family requests donations be made in Allen's honor to the American Cancer Society or Wounded
Warrior Project.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Allen W Russell, please visit our flower store.
Viewing
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Funeral
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
12:00 - 1:00 pm (Eastern time)
Interment
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
2:00 - 2:30 pm (Eastern time)
