Jake was born in June 1953 in Rockford, Illinois to Joe Russian and Beatty Russian. The youngest of 4 children, Jake attended school in Stillman Valley, graduating in 1971.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1974, attending Basic Training and Technical School in Texas. Jake served as a Jet Engine Mechanic on the F-4 Phantom II and the F-111 Aardvark, and on the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Jake served at MacDill AFB, in Tampa, Florida, where he met and married Leslie in 1976, before they were transferred to England, where he served at RAF Lakenheath. Jake reached the rank of Sergeant before separating in 1980 and returning to Tampa.
Jake earned his Electrical Technician certification from United Electronics Institute before being hired by Harris Semiconductor and moving to Palm Bay Florida in 1983. Jake worked at Semiconductor until 1998, then DRS until 2015, and finally at Extant Aerospace for five years before retiring in 2020.
Jake enjoyed riding motorcycles, reading, woodworking, working on cars, model airplanes, puzzles, travelling with Leslie, and spoiling his grandchildren and Boxer Zayne. He will be remembered by all for his sense of humor and loyalty to his friends and family.
He is survived by his wife Leslie, his two sons, Jerimiah (Jennifer) and Christopher, his grandchildren, Conner (14), Elizabeth (11), Colin (10), and Alexander (7), brother Gordon, and his niece Renee Colbert.
A memorial service will be held at Church of Our Savior in Palm Bay, Florida in the near future.
Fountainhead Memorial is in charge of arrangements. Jake will be laid to rest at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.
Please send any donations of Flowers or Funds to Church of Our Savior, 1000 Jersey Lane, Palm Bay Florida, 321-723-8032.
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