Russell Ames (Bud) Sellick passed away peacefully, at 2:00pm, Sunday, September 16, 2018. He was 86 years old and had been suffering from Alzheimer's for five years. He was a graduate of Cumberland High School where he served as class president. He went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Education. Bud was a Korean War Veteran of the Navy and served on the battleship, Iowa (BB-61). He was an author, cartoonist, pilot, skydiver and adventurer. Bud was also a tightrope walker, magical bonfire builder, tree house master and juggler! He founded the Tennessee Skydivers Club and helped to pioneer the sport in the late 1950's and 1960's. He wrote the first book on skydiving and went on to write two more books on sport parachuting. Bud began his career as Director of The Boys Club in Maryville, TN and went on to be Director of The Boys Club in Louisville, KY. He worked as an editor in the advertising department of the Methodist Publishing House for several years. Bud continued his career as a Regional Sales Manager for the educational film division of CBS for many years. He retired as VP of Sales with Energy Utilization Systems. Bud was a member of Crievewood United Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Betty Sellick and his brother, Jay P. Sellick.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Ruth Sellick and his three children, Penny Langen (Ray), Scott Sellick (Belinda), and Tanya Bonney (Seton). Also survived by four beautiful grandchildren, Zachary Langen, Savannah Langen, Mary Grace Bonney, and Alivia Huffman.
Services for Mr. Sellick will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home on Saturday, September 22, with visitation beginning at 1:00pm and service starting at 3:00pm. The Rev. Peter van Eys of Crievewood United Methodist Church will officiate.
The family would like to thank Hospice for all their help during the last difficult weeks. Please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in lieu of flowers.
