SOUTHPORT — Eugene “Gene” Russ, 83, of Southport, passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 at SECU Hospice of Brunswick in Bolivia.
Mr. Russ was born Dec. 30, 1932, son of the late William Albert Russ and Mary Reese Russ. He worked as a fireman at Sunny Point for many years. Mr. Russ was a veteran of the United States Navy having served in the Korean War. He was a member of Southport Baptist Church. Mr. Russ was best known for coaching Little League Baseball for many years and continued to watch it on television until his health declined. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
Leaving to cherish his memory is his wife of 57 years, Mary LeClerc Russ of Southport; children, William Arthur “Rusty” Russ and wife Laurie of Boiling Spring Lakes and James “Michael” Russ and wife Angela of Chattanooga, Tennessee; brothers, James Harold “Jimmy” Russ of Southport, Robert Earl Russ of Wilmington, and Jack Russ of Boiling Spring Lakes; sister Priscilla Gaskill of Southport; three grandchildren, April Harris and husband Josh, Courtney Russ, and Dylan Russ; three great grandchildren, Austin Harris, Kaleb Harris, and Wesley Harris.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov., 18, 2016, at Southport Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Jeff Johnson and Reverend Gene Tomlinson officiating. Burial will follow in Northwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., one hour prior to the service at Southport Baptist Church Chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to SECU Hospice of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, NC 28422; or Southport Baptist Church, 200 N. Howe St., Southport, NC 28461.