Gerry Mack Russell

"Gerry M. Russell, age 77, a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018. He was born in Paragould, Arkansas, the son of Elta Monroe Russell and Iva (Johnson) Russell. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 37 years, Sandra (McCleskey) Russell; brothers Clarence W. and Elta Junior Russell; and sisters Emma Louise Adams and Wilma J. Ruehle. Gerry is survived by his friend and companion of 20 years, Joyce Dodds of Baton Rouge; brother Glen Russell (wife Carmella) of West Pittsburg, PA; sister Joyce Smith of Baton Rouge. All of his children survive him, Suzanne Keller (husband Jim) of Prairieville, LA, Donald Russell (wife Charyl) of Richmond, TX, Gary Russell (wife Jonell) of Baton Rouge, and Denise Russell of Baton Rouge. Also survived by 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He served as a supply handler in the United States Army for three years, and stayed in Louisiana after being stationed in New Orleans. Gerry retired from Shell Chemical as a supervisor in operations in 1996. He went on to have a second career overseeing the nonprofit charitable thrift store, Here Today Gone Tomorrow, that he and his wife Sandra founded in 1993. Uniquely to this thrift store, profits from items donated are distributed to charities in Baton Rouge such as Battered Women's Program, animal shelters, and local churches. Well over one million dollars have been donated to local charities through sales at HTGT. Gerry will be cremated and his remains interred in a family cemetery in Arkansas in early January. While there will be no local services, family and friends may offer sympathies online at www.rabenhorst.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.rabenhorst.com/">www.rabenhorst.com. Those inclined, may donate to Here Today Gone Tomorrow, or their favorite charity in his name. Rabenhorst Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.