Russell Edward LaFever

He graduated from Alliance High School in 1960; Ohio State University in 1965; and The University of Rochester in 1971.

He worked at Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY; AM International, Mt. Prospect, IL; ITT Corporation in both Illinois and Raleigh, NC; Nortel, Raleigh, NC; and finally, Measurement, Inc., Durham, NC.

Russ received a full academic scholarship to The Ohio State University. He was part of the Kodak team of the once-classified Bridgehead program of US government surveillance of the USSR during the Cold War. Russ worked full time at positions including IT work, transitioning to marketing. He worked until age 73. Russ was a member of United Methodist church; volunteered as a Boy Scout leader; volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He was an avid reader; enjoyed golf with two different leagues; and was a lifelong Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Russ could always be counted on for a witty or humorous anecdote.

They are preceded in death by their parents, Donald Joel LaFever and Alice Mae Rohrer, and his half-sisters Cheryl Ann Dean and Danita Lynn Reed, all of Alliance, Ohio. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan Leith LaFever, his son Mark Russell LaFever of Arlington, VA, his daughter Lynn Michelle LaFever (Anthony Carrillo) of Corpus Christi, TX; his grandson Hayden Matthew Pond of Boston, MA, and his granddaughter Abigail Grace Pond of Corpus Christi, TX.

The family would like to thank Zebulon House Assisted Living and Memory Care, and also Heartland Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Russ in his final days for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in his final days.

A memorial service for Russell will be held Sunday, July 27, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7209 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612. Family and friends are invited to attend a dessert reception following the service.