Russell Carl Vaudrey

Born on July 10, 1922, in Glendo, Wyoming, Russell was raised on a ranch as one of six boys born to James Walter ("Walt") Vaudrey and Matilda Torgerson Vaudrey. Growing up during the Great Depression, he learned lessons that stayed with him throughout his life: work hard, think carefully, waste nothing, and take care of your family. Those values were the foundation of the man he would become.

As a young man, Russell attended college and was a member of Alpha Kappa Iota fraternity. World War II interrupted his time at college when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. Serving as a Flight Engineer, Crew Chief, and side and tail gunner aboard B-24 Liberators in the Pacific Theater, Russell experienced some of the most dangerous conditions of the war. He survived aircraft crashes, enemy attacks, and weeks evading Japanese forces after a crash in the Philippine jungle. He rarely sought attention for what he endured, choosing instead to use his experience during the war to reinforce the importance of duty, service, and teamwork.

During this time, Russell met Shirley Marie Kornegay, the love of his life. They were married on November 5, 1943, and shared a remarkable 77 years together until Shirley's passing in 2021. Their marriage was an example of devotion, partnership, faith, and an unwavering commitment to family.

Although the war interfered with his formal education, his love of learning and intellectual pursuits were ever-present. Russell remained an engineer at heart throughout his life. He had a sharp mind, an endless curiosity, and an incredible ability to understand how things worked. He built a successful career, provided well for his family, and approached life's challenges with intelligence, patience, and determination.

Russell was also a gifted carpenter and craftsman. Working with wood allowed him to combine the analytical and creative sides of his personality. Over the years he built furniture, keepsakes, church crosses, and countless projects for family and friends. His handiwork can still be found in the homes of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, serving as lasting reminders of both his talent and his love.

He was a longtime member of Kennesaw United Methodist Church and generously shared his skills in service to his church community. He loved golf and proudly recorded a hole-in-one at Eagle Watch Golf Club. In his later years, one of his greatest joys was gathering with fellow veterans for lunch as part of "The Lunch Bunch." The camaraderie, friendship, and shared experiences of those gatherings remained a treasured part of his life.

Russell was known for his intelligence, wisdom, kindness, and quiet sense of humor. He enjoyed a clever joke, a little harmless mischief, and never lost his curiosity about the world. Although born in 1922, he embraced new technology, using an iPhone, email, Facebook, hearing-aid apps, and even a pacemaker app well into his second century of life. He showed us that growing older did not require one to stop learning.

Russell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley Marie Vaudrey; his daughter, Sharon Volk; his son, Daniel Vaudrey; his parents; and his brothers.

He is survived by his son-in-law, Loren David Volk; his grandchildren, Brian Volk (Katherine), Stephanie Volk Miller (Matthew), and Matthew Volk (Marie); his seven great-grandchildren, Andrew, Lauren, Hailey, Ben, Daniel, Caleb, and Robbie; and extended family members, fellow veterans, church friends, and loved ones.

Russell's life spanned more than a century of American history. He witnessed extraordinary change, survived extraordinary challenges, and remained grounded in the values he learned as a young Wyoming ranch boy. He built many things during his 104 years—furniture, friendships, a family, and a life defined by faith, humility, service, and love. Those who knew him are better because of it.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.