Cecil Robert Russell

Born September 9, 1917 in Calion, Arkansas he was the son John R and Anna Odell Latham Russell.

Mr. Russell graduated from Norphlet High School and began his military career at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. After having assigned to numerous duty stations in the US he served in combat in France, Holland and Germany during World War II. He met the Russians at Stendhal, Germany on the Elbe River in May, 1945.

He returned to the US in December of 1945 and later served numerous assignments worldwide until his retirement as Lt. Colonel in 1964.

He was employed by the Arkansas Employment Security Division until retiring as office manager in Jacksonville in 1980. While living in Sherwood he was a member of Sylvan Hills Baptist Church, serving as Adult Department director and Sunday School teacher.

Mr. Russell was a life member of the Military Officers Association, a member of Second Indianhead Division Association, a 44 year member of the American Legion and current member of Roy V. Kinard Post 10 in El Dorado and former member of M.M. Eberts Post 1 in Little Rock. He was founding sponsor member of the National Museum of the U. S. Army, a member of the Arkansas State Employees Association and a member of the South Arkansas Historical Foundation.

After retirement he spent much time traveling, playing golf and fishing. Returning to El Dorado in 1996 he was a member and Sunday School teacher at the Calion Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death along with his parents were his wives, Gertrude Russell and Mary Russell and two brothers, J. R. Russell and James Russell.

Survivors include a daughter, Cecile Crumpler (Charles) of Robinson, TX and three grandchildren, Michael Crumpler of Waco, TX , Cindi Daniels (Dennis) and Carla Cohrs (Chad) all of Hewitt, TX along with 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 17, 2013 at the Calion Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Staples officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Arlington Memorial Park in El Dorado under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday evening at Young’s.

Memorials may be made to Calion Baptist Church, 258 W. Main, Calion, AR 71724.

An online registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com