Ernest Wayne Russell Jr.

Ernest Wayne Russell, Jr., 80, a longtime resident of Montgomery, Alabama passed away on Saturday, May 27th after an extended illness. Wayne Russell was born in 1942, the son of the late Ernest and Myrtis Russell of Lapine, Alabama. He was a graduate of South Montgomery County High School in Ramer, Alabama and Auburn University. Wayne was a member of First Methodist Church of Montgomery.

Mr. Russell was a philanthropist and prominent businessman in central Alabama. He was a member of the Jaycees, a Board Member of the Alabama Oilmen’s Association, and a member of the Committee of 100. He was a generous donor to Auburn University and to the Karl K. Stegall Seminary Fund. He established the Wayne and Shan Russell Charitable Foundation. Among his favorite charities were St. Jude Children's Hospital, The Children's Hospital of Alabama, and the Methodist Children's Home.

Wayne founded Russell Petroleum Corporation in 1969 in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a Texaco gasoline jobber, retailer, and wholesaler, and he later rebranded and became a Shell gasoline jobber, retailer, and wholesaler. He founded Kwik Shop convenience stores and created the Petro Plus private brand label of fuel. His operation involved convenience stores in central Alabama and west Georgia, including two truck stops, a gasoline wholesale division, and trucking division. Mr. Russell was recognized and won numerous awards in the gasoline industry throughout his 54 years in business.

Additionally, Mr. Russell was the owner of several parcels of commercial real estate and owned a substantial holding of timberland throughout Alabama. He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed bass fishing and bird hunting throughout his life. He was a member of several bass fishing clubs and competed at a high level in amateur and Pro-Am tournaments throughout the Southeast. One of his proudest accomplishments was winning the Redman/FLW Tournament twice as well as the Tom Parsons Invitational Bass Tournament.

He leaves behind a legacy of faith, strength, and courage. Wayne is survived by his loving wife of almost 62 years, Shirley Anne (Shan) Till Russell; his three children, Mitzi Russell McIntyre (Innes) of Montgomery, Rusty Russell (Amy) of Auburn, and Tina Russell Douglass (Jim) of Birmingham; his seven grandchildren, Matt McIntyre (Brooke), Caroline McIntyre Nichols (Hayden), Christina Douglass, Jay Douglass (Catherine), Russell McIntyre, Katie McIntyre, and Anna Douglass; his great grandchild, Fletcher McIntyre; and his brothers, Tom (Jane) Russell and Earl (Dianne) Russell. Mr. Russell is pre-deceased by his parents, Ernest and Myrtis Russell, and his sister, Bonnie Karen Russell.

Pallbearers serving are Matt McIntyre, Jay Douglass, Russell McIntyre, Hayden Nichols, Robert Tutt, Clark Ward, Mike Heartsill, and Scott Gonko. Honorary pallbearers are Innes McIntyre, Jim Douglass, Sam Newell, Keith Newell, Daniel Lindsey, Andy Grigsby, Leon Capouano, and Ed Warner. Many thanks to Dr. Steven Davidson, Dee McIntyre Watts, Annette Robinson, and his other caregivers from Answered Prayer.

Donations may be made in his memory to The Montgomery Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Hospital’s Jimmy Fund, or St. Jude Children's Hospital. The family will begin receiving friends at 11:30 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st at First United Methodist Church, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Karl Stegall and Bishop Lawson Bryan will serve as officiants. Interment will occur immediately following at Alabama Heritage Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AlabamaHeritageFH.com for the Russell family.