I was very sad to find that Mr. Russell has passed away.  I had searched in the past but had not been able to find him.  My purpose in searching for him was to tell him that he was my all-time favorite teacher.  He was my homeroom and social studies teacher in 7th and 8th grade at Cedar Bluff.   He took an interest in Alvin Smith, Lee Miller and me.  We were all three pretty average kids, but he showed extra attention for us and really motivated me to be more interested in school.  History became my favorite subject and I always meant to find him on the internet to let him know that his support had a profound impact on me.  I went on to get my BS from TTU and served in the USMC.  Condolences to his family for their loss.  He was a great teacher and a really good man that taught me many lessons, including honor, respect and  the value of intellect and a sense of humor.  He also made sure we knew what hemisphere different countries were in.  I’m not sure if he was joking, but he told us he enlisted during Vietnam because he knew that he was going to be drafted and he wanted to be stationed in Germany.  In his enlistment papers he listed his first choice to be in the East, thinking Germany was East of us, not that he was actually requesting the Eastern hemisphere.   He said, “boys, that is why you need to educate yourself.”  That story always stuck with me.  Again, I don’t know if he was joking but I sill remember it from 43 years ago.  I wish this message would have found him prior to his passing.  Time moves faster than we think.

Thank you Mr. Russell, Rest In Peace.  



To Ann and the family.  I still have fond memories of you and Fred in the early days at Washington Pike United Methodist.  I offer my deepest sympathy for your loss.  I'm sure that Pat would offer the same, but she has late-stage Alzheimer's. Praying for you in your time of loss.

Goodbye, ole friend. My late husband Darnell and Fred were like brothers for many years. Fred called Darnell his "little fat brother" and Darnell called Fred "Hooky".   Ann and Fred moved in down the street from us in south Knoxville  45 years ago. Our kids  were friends with and grew up with Steve and Scott. Ansley and Tom always referred to Fred as "Uncle" Fred. 
For many years Darnell and I, along with the Bill Holt's; the Gerald Parsons and the Tom Lawson's formed a supper group that met every week. Fred was always happy and brought many laughs to our group.  He was a fine man and indeed a privilege to have called him my friend. 
I am sure that he and Darnell and Tom are in heaven talking and laughing over old times.
I will treasure all the years with Fred as a friend. My prayers are with Ann, Steve, Scott and all of the family. 

Ann & Family:  We are so sorry for your loss.  Our heartfelt sympathy & will continue to keep you in thoughts & prayers.  

Mr. Russell was the Powell Elementary School principal when my 3 sons, Garrett, Sean and Griffin attended. I was regularly involved in volunteering  with their classes and with leadership roles in the PTA.  He was active in and supportive of all of our efforts; a great partner in our endeavors. Having later worked with other administrators in different school systems, I can say that Fred was the exemplar. 

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Godspeed you, Mr. Russell.

When living in Halls from 2004-2007, I often had the pleasure of Fred's company while cleaning carpets in the church with him and Bruce. Always a smile and always center seat in the choir. Now he'll be singing with angels.

One of my favorite persons of all time. Wish I had spent more time with him. We both tried to be golfers. Didn’t work. But we had fun hanging out , joking about our mutual ineptness. I know this must be painful for the Methodist Men’s Group. He loved you guys and gave his all. Our condolences to Ann, friends ,and other family members.-Dan and Lisa Davis

Such and sweet and wonderful man!  Fred and my brother, Ken Conner, met in high school, were united in their love for music and became best buddies when in their teens.  I was the annoying little sister…  Fred was a frequent visitor at our house way back when – he was more family than visitor – and I suppose I loved him even then because he didn’t just ignore or wave off the annoying little gnat that I was then  :)

I landed in NC years later, then moved back to Knoxville when my mother needed attention in her later years and my job was fully portable.  My girls were in middle school at the time, and we sought Fred’s advice about school districts when deciding where we would settle down.  We took Fred’s advice and my kids were firmly settled in a great school district.  Later still, I visited Christ United Methodist Church in my search for a local church.  Was that Fred I saw in the choir?  Yes it was!  Did I also see Ann?  Yep.

I’ve been back in NC for more than a decade now.  I still miss Christ UMC and I **really** miss Fred’s great music.  For now I’ll miss the great and wonderful man that he was, but only for a while.  As Ann said, Fred now has met the Master.  I know I’ll meet Him too and then be able to give Fred a big ol’ hug and kiss.  We’ll all know that “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b, NIV).  Don’t you just know Fred already has a new band going and is leading it with that gorgeous and grand voice of his?



Fred has been one of my close friends for many, many years. We both are Fulton High School graduates (different years) and Tennessee Volunteer fans. We made many out of town football trips to see the Vols play. But most of all our friendship was the most important thing even after I moved to other states for several years. We regularly had lunch at different restaurants in town with other close friends. I will miss him greatly. God rest his soul.

OBITUARY

Fred Harrison Russell

July 16, 1943 – March 9, 2019

Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home

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