Name: Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel
Address: Lexington, SC

Atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

So sorry to hear of Mike's death.  I knew him through my late husband LTC Chic Garland who also passed in 2015.  Mike came to Virginia several times to support us, especially when Chic became ill.  I knew him through those visits and stories my husband told.  Chic respected and adored his old Army buddy.  Mike was an INCREDIBLY good man and was dedicated to his family and public service.  My condolences to Toby and Cam.  May God comfort you in your grief!

Mike was a friend l, great coworker, and  supportive boss.  We had many days together traveling the state on scemd activities. Many days activated in the SEOC.  He was always the first to offer assistance to everyone he met and served with. 
I am wishing Tobey and family prayers and blessings.

I thought I would put this photograph out there on the internet so it will live forever.  This humorous photograph was taken in the fall of 1971.  It is of the freshmen (knobs) of The Citadel Class of 1975, Echo Company.  Many thanks to Tom Delery, Duane Whitman and Bill Crabbe that are pictured in this almost 53 year old photograph for taking the time to visit Mike and be there for him all these years.

A service of remembrance was held at St. Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church in Columbia, SC for Michael Dean Russell on June 26, 2024.  Mike’s cousin Pastor Susan Wright perform the service.  It was a nice service with people who loved Mike.

Lt. Col. Michael D. Russell, Ret., 70, Lexington, SC

Lt. Col. Michael Dean Russell, Ret. passed away Friday, Jun 14, 2024 at Lexington Extended Care.  He was born in Hendersonville, NC, January 15, 1954. He was a 1971 graduate of A. C. Flora High School, a 1975 graduate of The Citadel, where he was a member of Echo Company and the Summerall Guards, and a 1992 graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army in 1975 and served at posts in Ft. Sill, OK; Wiesbaden, Germany; Syracuse, NY; Ft. Meade, MD; The Pentagon; Camp Humphrey, South Korea; and Ft. Jackson, SC until his retirement in 2002. He was twice awarded  the Legion of Merit and was a Mason. He was retired from South Carolina Emergency Management Division as Chief of Operations, and was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Gov. Henry McMaster.

He is predeceased by his father, Lt. Col. Jim Russell’s, Ret., and his mother, Mary McCallister Russell, and a cousin, Don Russell. Surviving are his wife; step-daughter and five step-grandchildren; Robert D. McCallister of Hendersonville, NC; cousin Susan Wight (Bill) of Columbia; cousin Jeannie (Mike) Yelton of Lexington.

I had the honor to attend Lt. Colonel Russell’s retirement review ceremony in June of 2002 after 27 years of service,

Mike and Mike, the 2 Lance Lieutenants.  Shown with 2 of our Lance tracked vehicles and training missiles in containers.  Camp Pieri, Wiesbaden, Germany, 1976.  As our role in the Cold War, we only had nuclear warheads. It was pretty serious stuff !

2LT Mike Russell in his first assignment, Camp Pieri, Wiesbaden, Germany, 1976.  Seen with his usual Coca Cola in hand.

I met Mike when we were both at Ft. Bragg for ROTC Advanced Camp, Summer 1975.  We learned that we would both be commissioned there after camp in Field Artillery, and attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course and Lance (Missile) Officers Course at Ft. Sill together.  Furthermore, we were both heading to the 1st Battalion 333rd Field Artillery (Lance) to serve together as Lieutenants in Wiesbaden, West Germany.  We did some of the usual traveling and touring together, and worked together when we could.  Later, I attended his Command and General Staff Officer Course graduation at Ft. Leavenworth to support him and wish him well.  He was deservedly proud of that accomplishment.  We kept in touch through the years, calling and writing, and had spoken last not very long ago.  Bonnie and I were both shocked to learn he had apparently been unwell for a while and soon devastated to learn of his death.  Tobey, we are so sorry for your loss.  Mike was truly one of a kind.

You were the best leader and friend that took us through some of the worst times in our state’s history and was always able to make people smile regardless of the circumstances. You will always be remembered as a dedicated member of the Emergency Management community and the State of South Carolina. You will be missed.

Mike was a great friend.  We would always joke about being brothers from a different mother.   He will always hold a special place in my memories and heart.   I will miss our times of conversation.  No matter how long it would be between our talks, we would always pick up where we stopped off and continue.

It does my heart good to know that Mike  not only thought of me as  his friend but also his brother.  Much love brother.

I was saddened to hear that Mike passed.  He was a great soldier and public servant to both State and Nation.  True and tried.  He was also a great family man and a trusted friend to us all.

I had the opportunity to get to know Mike during the Covid 19 activation at the SCEMD.  We compared notes on his experiences as a cadet at The Citadel and my experiences as a cadet at  Norwich with Mike referring to it as "that Yankee military college".  Of course it was all in good fun. :)

Mike  will definitely be missed by us all.  A great soldier, leader, public servant, and family man.

Rest in Peace brother.

RLTW

v/r

COL Chris  Cox

Tobey,

My deepest sympathies on your loss. I knew Mike while he was in the service as well as his time serving at SCEMD.  He was very dedicated to his family and his work, and he will be missed by all. Your family and you are in my prayers and thoughts.

George McKinney

We will all miss you Mike. We anre grateful for the many gifts that you gave to your family, friends, community, and Nation. Until we meet on the Green. 

God’s Peace and Comfort.
Scott

I want to offer my condolences for your loss. I worked for Mike at EMD and found him to be a good boss and a great person. May God Bless Mike and your family.

I met Mike in 1980 in West Germany. I was the adjutant of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery located in Wiesbaden, and Mike, a seasoned Captain, was joining our battalion. We became fast friends and I had the privilege of serving with Mike as a battery commander. We shared many adventures over the years including crossings on Cunard's QE2 and a VIA Rail adventure to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Mike always stayed in touch and I treasure our conversations and those rare opportunities when we were able to visit in person. Our friendship never wavered and I will miss future opportunities to solve the world's problems. May and I express our deepest sympathy to Tobey and Cam and ask that God grant you peace in this time of sorrow.

I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mike's family and close friends. I first met Mike Russell  in 2008 when I was starting my career in Emergency Management.  Mike Russell was a well of knowledge and stories and he will be sorely missed. I remember my conversations with him on his many adventures in the Military with his buddy Joel Parsons. I teased him often that the 'Ganesha' I gifted him from India brought him good luck and he was always appreciative of that.
Mike will remain in many of our memories as someone who served his country and his state with honor and passion.

Mike and I met through work many years ago. He was always available to share advice about emergency planning and preparedness, but what he always asked to see were pictures of my dachshunds. We shared many stories of our pets. Mike will be missed by so many. He truly impacted so many lives. He will forever be remembered. To his family, may you feel the Lord's arms wrapped around you during this time and feel at peace knowing that Mike is with our Father looking down on all of us.

Colleton County Fire-Rescue assumed the Emergency Management duties for the county in 2018.  There were a number of SCEMD folks that were supportive in guiding us through the vast improvements that were necessary.  Mike was at the top of that list.  Mike would routinely check in with us to see if we needed anything, even during "blue sky days."  He had a great sense of humor and was always an advocate for our department and its efforts to better serve our citizens.  He will be greatly missed and we will always be appreciative for his support.  Godspeed sir and thank you!

I met Mike Russell at SCEMD when he was the hurricane planner.  He provided exceptional guidance and served as a mentor in many ways.  He was diligent and meticulous with his work and South Carolina has been a safer place to be because of his service to the State.  He was also kind and compassionate, and a friend to many people and pets.  He was the “real deal”, and we have lost a jewel.

I share my sincere condolences to Tobey and the Russell family.  May God continue to keep and strengthen you during these difficult times.  Rest in peace my friend...!

Mike, 
        You were a true American Hero, mentor and friend.  You helped make the world a better place. Our Mass Care team will never be able to replace the insight and caring nature that you helped instill in all of us. Your stories and thoughts meant the world to me as well. God speed in your next life watching over all of us and rest well. You taught us what right looks like so that you could rest peacefully up there.

In the few years that I have known Mike, through South Carolina Emergency Management, I came to know him as a tough talking, soft hearted man. I am proud to have known him as my friend. When he first went in to Lexington Rehab after his fall, I visited him and asked if he would like me to pray for him. He reached for my hand and said please do. We prayed and I know,that he is with The Lord now.

Mike, you were a real character some times but always a true professional and great mentor/boss.  We will miss you.  I will miss you.  Don’t worry chief, the rest of us are still standing watch.  Your shift is over.

Mike was a great guy!  He really helped this Air Guard guy out in my time working at the SCEMD.  He was always very helpful and he was extremely knowledgeable, and just a genuinely nice man.  RIP Mike

Thank you Mike Russell for your expertise that you willingly shared, your genuine concern and all the laughs we shared. In the short time I knew you, it always felt to be so much more. You have won your race. You will truly be missed. 

Kara N. Troy

Heartfelt sympathy to Mike’s friends and family.

Bob Nance

I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Russell (Mike after recognition day) in 1974 when I was a knob, a worthless piece of protoplasm lower than whale poop on the bottom of the ocean, in Echo Company and he was a god - a Senior who was a Summerall Guard.  I was lucky enough to be assigned as his knob.  I can honestly say I would not have made it through knob year and graduate from The Citadel without his guidance.  We stayed in touch over the years, especially when Mike was with EMD and I was with Lancaster County.  He was always a great mentor and a true friend.  Sir, Mr. Russell sir, rest in peace sir and thank you for everything.   Knob Willis.

We miss you, Mike. We miss your sense of humor and crazy remarks, and a personality that filled the whole State Emergency Operations Center.

Thank you for your servant heart and lifetime of devotion to others.
We also give thanks that your suffering has ended and that  you're now in Paradise to walk with God for eternity.

In your last hours, we shared a couple verses of scripture. All that you asked about was others' salvation.

That's you, Mike. True blue. Concerned about others. To the very end.
.

On Friday May 24, 2024 Governor McMaster of the great state of South Carolina present The Order of the Palmetto to Michael Dean Russell, Citadel Class of 1975.  This highest civilian honor was presented to Mike for his years of service and leadership to South Carolina in his role in the South Carolinia Emergency Management Division.

Mike was a great asset to The State of South Carolina in his service and leadership at The South Carolina Emergency Division (SCEMD).  Here is the SCEMD tribute:

https://www.facebook.com/100044559963878/posts/pfbid02zA7sZZPeMfFn858bp31sJGzX1NiJCXQmfUrDh1ks3MtkuECHdJeF7CHdVx7RHdVil/?

OBITUARY

Michael Dean Russell

January 15, 1954 – June 14, 2024

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel

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