Russell Duane Wasson

Edited & Condensed by Laura L. Wasson 8/8/2023

Russell Duane Wasson (Russell) was born January 28, 1952 and died on August 7, 2023. He passed quietly in the early morning hours surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. Russell was diagnosed with stomach cancer in February 2021, and fought valiantly to stay healthy and present for his family and active and engaged with work as well as his two favorite pastimes: music and fishing.

Russell was preceded in death by his grandparents Russell A. Wasson and Georgia M. Wasson, and Albert and Bea Fausett and his parents Roy A. Wasson and Virginia Lee Wasson. Russell is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Gandy Wasson, his lovely daughters Lily W. Donald and Laura L. Wasson, his wonderful son-in-law Russ Donald, Laura's kind and loving partner James Jordan, his precious grandchildren Lucy, Lola and Sam Donald, and his loved twin sister Cheryl W. Summers.

His first great love was fishing. Russell's grandfather taught him how to fly fish when he was 4 years old and he continued to fish regularly throughout his life, developing a great fondness for the bayous and swamps of Louisiana and the streams and rivers of Idaho.

His second great love was music. Russell began studying bass guitar at 13 and played his first professional job a year later. Just like fishing, he never stopped playing music. While playing, Russell believed in servicing the song, the melody, and the singer and he opened himself up to improvisation whether playing rock, soul, blues, or jazz.

But his greatest love of all was for his family beginning with his wife Diane, his soulmate, whom he married in 1976. Russell was extremely proud of his two daughters, Lily and Laura, and grateful to Diane for the love and care she continues to demonstrate as a mother. He also deeply loved his three grandchildren, and he hoped that they would hold the memories of their time with him in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

Russell was a successful business executive, beginning with his Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree which he earned from the University of Arkansas Little Rock in May 1980. He graduated with honors in just three years, and he passed the CPA exam on his first try while his mother was gravely ill in the hospital.

Over the decades, he worked for Arthur Young and Ernst & Whinney, Cajun Electric Power Cooperative in Baton Rouge, and eventually for himself when he opened his own consultancy in 2000. In 2005, he joined the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association as their Senior Director for Tax, Finance, and Accounting. He remained with the organization until his death, most recently holding the title of Senior Director Regulatory Affairs.

Additionally, he taught at Penn State's Advanced School of Power Engineering and served as a member on a variety of boards and committees including the Futures Trading Commission's Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors of the Centre of Excellence in Accounting and Reporting for Co-operatives (CEARC) at St. Mary's University in Halifax, NS.

Russell was convinced at an early age that everything was connected and God was omnipresent throughout this world and our universe. Boundless unconditional love was an inevitable result of the energy of the Creator. Russell loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He often said, "Live your life like a prayer!" He viewed his life as a sacred journey.

Russell will be interred at Our Lady of Mercy Columbarium in Baton Rouge.

Please join Russell's family and friends on Tuesday, September 5th at Our Lady of Mercy Church (445 Marquette Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA, 70806) to celebrate his life. Visitation will begin at 9am and will be followed by mass at 10am.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please send memorial donations to Our Lady of Mercy Church, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, or a suitable charity of your choosing.

To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rabenhorst.com