Paul Thomas Russell Jr.

Paul Thomas Russell, Jr. was born on February 27, 1945 in Tuscaloosa, AL to the late Lucille Skelton Russell and Paul Thomas Russell, Sr., M.D. and died on April 9, 2023 in Nashville, TN from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. Paul grew up in Albany GA and graduated from Albany High School. Among other activities and honors, he was named class favorite and elected as an International Trustee of the Key Club. He attended Vanderbilt University on a ROTC scholarship ultimately serving as the Army ROTC Battalion Commander, was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and graduated with a BE in mechanical engineering. In 1991, Paul was inducted into the Vanderbilt ROTC Hall of Fame. At Vanderbilt he met Ruth (Sissy) Griffith whom he married in 1967 and with whom he shared his life for over 55 years. He was the proud father of 2 sons and took great pride in all their accomplishments - cheering them on from birth through college and into their professional lives. Paul was also adventurous with his sons as kids going hunting, scuba diving, skiing and taking them flying when he earned his private pilot’s license in Dallas in the 1980’s.

Paul was extremely proud of being a veteran of the United States Army having also completed the arduous training to be awarded the coveted elite special operations unit Army Ranger tab. He served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam as an advisor to the South Vietnamese and under the purview of MACV (Military Assistance Command Vietnam) led repetitive covert counterinsurgency operations living and working with them. Through his service, he received the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Army Commendation Medal among other recognitions. Paul was instrumental in the creation of 2 Vietnam War Memorials – as President of the Texas Vietnam Memorial Fund in Dallas, Texas and in Lansing, Michigan. He also served as a technical advisor on the 1989 Brian DePalma film "Casualties of War." After retirement he cherished his weekly volunteer days working at the VA Hospital in Kansas City.

Paul was active in the HVAC business for all of his professional life - in Dallas, Detroit and Kansas City. In Kansas City while president of Cates Sheet Metal Industries, he served as Chairman of the Sheet Metal Workers Health and Welfare Fund and for several years participated in union negotiations on behalf of management for the entire region.

Paul was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, William P. Russell and Robert W. Russell, and sister, Janet Russell Timmerman. He is survived by his wife, son Paul T. Russell, III, M.D., Paul’s wife Donna, son Griffith B. Russell and his precious granddaughters, Ruthie and Phoebe, who made a “softy” out of this combat veteran. He is also survived by his irreplaceable aunt, Martha Hester, several cousins, nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law of various degrees. Paul had a vibrant personality with a great sense of humor, loved good wine, good food and good conversations. He had a full rich life made all the better by the mutual love for his family and his wide circle of close friends - not to mention 50 years of Birthday Weekend celebrations which provided many fond lasting memories.

A memorial service with military honors for Paul was held on May 15, 2023 at the Nashville National Cemetery with a celebration of life following at the home of Paul and Donna Russell.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Fund (https://www.vvmf.org), the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or the charity of your choice.