Eugene Neal Russell

Gene was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University. After graduating, he joined the Army and embarked on his impressive military career. His many tours included two tours in Vietnam with the First Cavalry Division and the Special Forces, commanding the 3rd Battalion/7th Special Forces Group in Panama, serving on the Army Staff and Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and graduating from the National War College. He also received a Master’s in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh while serving in the Army.

Gene traveled the world and offered his family tremendous experiences living in many parts of the US, England and Panama before settling down in Springfield, Virginia. After retiring from the military, Gene worked as an independent consultant and as the Executive Director of the National War College Alumni Association.

Gene believed strongly in giving back to others, and was particularly committed to our Wounded Warriors. Gene was instrumental in developing programs to support and care for the Wounded Warriors and their families at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Additionally, he served in numerous other ways, including as a volunteer with the City of Alexandria Jail Outreach Program and as the Director of the Sydenstricker United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Gene deeply loved his family, his friends and neighbors, his country, God, and Johnny Cash. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Sharon (Gygli) Russell; his daughters Gretchen Russell and Peggy (Russell) Howard; and his granddaughters Ginger Howard and Lucy Howard.

A memorial service will be held at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 13th, at 2:00PM, followed by a reception. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

It was Gene’s wish that in lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations be made to the Air Warrior Courage Foundation.

https://airwarriorcourage.org/

(In the comments block, please write “In Memory of Colonel Eugene Russell.”)