Edward DeKalb Russell, Jr. passed away at the age of 85 on January 10, 2019 at Hospice of the Piedmont’s inpatient facility in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is survived by his loving wife, Alice Durage Russell, and by two daughters of whom he felt justifiably proud: —Lynne Russell Brophy of Columbus, Ohio and Kristen Russell Stone of Groton, Massachusetts; two son-in-laws: — Rob Stone and Jon Brophy; a sister, Mary Ellen Bowling of Birmingham, Alabama, a nephew Ted Bowling (Susana) and a niece, Virginia King (Lynn); five grandchildren Alison, Eric, Drew, Ned and Erin; his stepchildren Steve (Wendy) and Patricia Edson and his step grandchildren, Steve, Emilia and Charles Edson and many cousins. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ellen Fairclough Russell.
Born in New York City, Ed was raised by the kindness of his grandmother Ellen Gertrude Lindenmeyr, Westchester County, New York until 1951 when he entered University of Rochester on a NROTC scholarship. After graduating with an English degree in 1955, Ed served for three years in the Engineering Department of the aircraft carrier Tarawa (CVS-40) heading the Repair Division and serving as Assistant Damage Control Officer.
After his discharge from the Navy, Ed entered the Amos Tuck School of Business Adminstration at Dartmouth College, graduating with honors in 1960 with an MBA in marketing.
Ed began his business career with Procter and Gamble as a salesman and later as an Assistant Brand Manager. Subsequent steps in his career included market research positions with Stanley Works and Mead-Westvaco. In 1976 he joined Campbell Soup Company, eventually rising to the position of Director of Marketing Research.
After retiring from Campbell in 1994, Ed moved to Charlottesville, VA, where he became active as a volunteer for several non-profit organizations. In 2000 he was named Volunteer of the Year by the Central Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross for his work as newsletter editor. In 2008, The Daily Progress named him one of Charlottesville’s Distinguished Dozen for his volunteer work for the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. He was a member of the Charlottesville Council of the U. S. Navy League, serving terms as Membership Chair and Secretary. He was also a member of the Jeffersonland Chorus, serving as its treasurer.
Ed’s funeral service and burial will be held at 11:00 am, January 25, 2019 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Ivy, 851 Owensville Rd, Ivy VA. Contributions made be made in lieu of Flowers to his church, St. Paul’s Ivy, PO Box 37 Ivy VA 22945.
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