A wonderful person. We will miss your contagious smile and beautiful spirit. I am so happy to say I knew you. Rest in Peace we will meet again.
With Love...

Having just learned of Russell's passing, I send a belated message of sympathy to his family. A cousin who became a friend, a Southern gentleman, a fellow member of Clan Donald, someone it was indeed a pleasure to know.

I met Russ through the Georgia Festival Chorus.  My first year with the group, we traveled to Vienna, Austria to sing.  I didn't know many people, but Russ was one of the first to welcome me.  On that trip, I got to know his charming personality, including the ability to quote poetry in a storytelling way.  I also benefitted from his ability to find curious, out-of-the-way treasures when traveling.  And one of my fondest memories is going with him to a local dinner spot in Vienna.  Had I been with anyone else, I would have been afraid of being hopelessly lost, but he navigated us all over town to find an elusive restaurant known only to locals.  There was no English menu, and none of the wait staff spoke English.  We had the whole place - including ourselves - in hysterics as we played charades with the staff trying to order our dinner.  Oh, Russ, I miss you dearly as I write this.  My thoughts and prayers are with the Dabney family in their time of loss.

I was greatly saddened by the news about Russ, one of my favorite childhood friends who always had my greatest respect and admiration (and taught me to play the guitar).  My sincere condolences to John and Mrs Dabney.

I knew Russ from days at Westminster.  GREAT guy.  Years later we would chat during the annual Highland Games Scotch tasting event.  He will be missed.

Rosalyn and I wish to offer our sincere condolences to Russell's family.  We regret that we will not have the opportunity to get to know Russell as well as we would have liked.  We enjoyed his sense of humour, his joie de vivre, and his love of history and heraldry. We pray that the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ will comfort the family, and that Russell will rest in light perpetual.

May joy soon fill your hearts with loving memories of times shared.

C Johnson

I still see Russell in my mind at the first Commissioner College where we met. I remember the joy and the laughter, his professionalism and the pride he took in his uniform, his wonderful singing voice, his ability to hold everyone's attention as he told the Tale of Sam McGee, the lesson he taught me to always bring gifts (like helpful info) when you are serving your scouting units. It has been a long time since I have seen him but I still feel the loss just knowing he is gone. He was always one of my favorite Scouters. Praying for peace and comfort for the family.

My husband Pete and I met Russell at the Charleston games at the Clan Donald tent. I remember as he spoke thinking, "he seems to be a true southern gentleman". That's something you don't see much anymore. From that moment on I realized that he was a very sincere person and truly enjoyed other people. My thoughts and prayers are with Russell's family at this difficult time.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Russell was the first person to speak with Lynn and I on our first visit to the Clan Donald tent. Since then I've always looked for him at Clan Donald events. He was always intelligent, enthusiastic and had a depth of knowledge of Scottish lore I can only hope to attain. We will truly miss him.

What a joy and privilege it is to have known Russell...through Scouting, through First Presbyterian Church, through our mutual love for great books, beautiful music and a good Scotch.  May God welcome Him home and comfort his family during this time of sadness.

I am so saddened by the news of Russell's death and hold his family in may prayers. I met Russell for the first time this past fall at the Clan Donald AGM and had a wonderful time talking with him about all things Scottish, and his great interest in heraldry, which I share, and had been continuing correspondance with him as he worked on a MacDonald armorial. He will be missed by many. -- Gary MacDonald, CDUSA National Chaplain

Praying that the family and friends of Russ can feel the arms of God around them in this time of grief. Russ was a very caring person, a friend to so many, a great tenor. I was blessed to have shared my UT Singers years with him.

Russell was my roommate at all Clan Donald functions we attended for the last eight years.  His was a valued friendship, and he will be sorely missed.

To the Dabney Family, our heartfelt sympathies are with all of you in this sad time. So sudden and unexpected. It still has not sunk in. Russell was such a good friend and everyone always felt welcomed and accepted by him. While we have lost the earthly presence of a great and talented individual, Russell will always be with us because he touched so many lives and was an inspiration to so many people. You are in our prayers and may God comfort you and strengthen you during this time.

Bill & Maureen McDaniel, Clan Donald

Oh, Dabney Family All, I am sooo very sorry.  For many years, Russ was a big part of the music ministry at First Presbyterian singing in various choirs, and also playing guitar and banjo on choir retreats, - all of this while being very involved in the scouting program too. He made a difference with his many contributions. You are in my prayers, dear friends.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Russell was a mentor as a scout leader, and those of us who benefited from his guidance will miss him.  Ahoalton, Russell.  Forever on the trail.

We were so honored to have Russell as a friend. He will be missed more then words can say.

John, Ann & Mrs. Dabney - I was shocked to learn of Russ' passing from Coleen Thomason. He was a wonderful friend and a thoughtful person of great depth, a real rarity these days. I always looked forward to our chats either in person or by phone. Russ was one of those friends who always had a kind thought and good advice to share. I am now in Sarasota, FL working with Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, and though I won't be able to attend his memorial service, I will have all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

TO THE THE FAMILY OR DABNEY WE OFFER OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES PLEASE READ 1 PETER 5;7 WHILE YOU THROW ALL YOUR ANXIETY UPON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU.

Russell Dabney will always be an honest, true and dear friend. He served as the Georgia Commissioner, and Herald, Clan Donald USA, for the past three years. He will be truly missed by his fellow clans folk.
May God Bless Russ and his family.

The Pitts family,
Walter (Bubba), Caroline, and Casey Jane

I'm sorry for your lost. May you and your family rely on God in this time of grief.

We were sadden to hear of Russell passing.  Time spent was a pleasure. He will be missed.

Cecil, Christine & Chris Turner

We have lost a great scouter. He always brought a big smile and happy spirit everywhere he went. He would listen and provide sound, positive advice. Communications was his long suit. Even when he was delivering bad news Russ could make you feel good about it. His challenges to rising Eagle Scouts about their future at their boards of review were inspiring, thoughtful, and crafted individually as if he had know the boy for years rather than for half an hour.

YIS

Sam Miller
Scoutmaster Troop 232

Russell, we will miss you so much.  You have been one of our closest and dearest Clan Donald friends.  Clan Donald has lost a very special  member of our family.  We will never be the same.  Russell touched our lives in so many wonderful ways and the void left behind can never be filled.  Heaven just received a bright new angel, Russ can sing and quote poetry!  Our sympathies to Russell's family.  We love you Russell!

                                                           Dave & Phyllis Halt (Bloomington, IL)

So sorry for the loss of Russ.  He helped my son choose UT and we worked together on many Scouting projects.  He will be remembered and missed.

My sincere sympathy to his survivors, Russ was well liked in Clan Donald and will be missed very much.  We have lost a great man.

I have fond memories of Russ as he sang with The Georgia Festival Chorus.  He not only had a beautiful tenor voice, but he used it to glorify God.  For the family, I pray that the God of all comfort will be just that to you as you adjust to Russ' absence until you join him in praise around the throne.
Alice Abbott

Russell was a great friend and mentor to me and I will miss him greatly.  He was truly one of a kind.


Russ shall be remembered fondly by the Barber Family as a devoted friend, a dedicated scout leader, an enthusiastic musician, and an accomplished outdoor sportsman.  We shall remember him as one who served God and humanity with conviction, generosity, and compassion.  He shall be missed.

Jim and I spent many weekends with Russ in various Scouting events.  We would sit and talk for hours and laugh at ourselves  rather than others.  He was an enthusiastic trainer..  One time he invited us to dinner in his home.  I praised him for preparing such a wonderful meal and asked for a recipe.  He had to confess that he bought the whole meal at a deli.  Russ, Jim is waiting for you and  has a campfire going.  You two can sing the night away.  Ill miss you.

Ed and I were so shocked and saddened to hear about Russ.  Not only did I have the pleasure of reconnecting with Russ about 10 years ago when Ed and I traveled to Ireland with the GFC, but I was touched by how kind he was to our daughter, the only young child on the trip. Russ was such a gentleman and an entertaining conversationalist.  Our prayers are with you.  May God comfort you in your loss.
Love, Ed and Anne Simms Goodgame

We are very saddened to hear of Russ' passing and we are praying for his family and friends as you mourn your loss. We will never forget Russ' singing with the Georgia Festival Chorus and our overseas trips. We'll remember his fishing lures and the extraordinary efforts he made just to catch a fish in Europe.  Our music library has a number of Russ' songs where he sang some wonderful solos. Heaven has a brand new tenor.

Russ has been a wonderful and faithful friend since our UT Singers years, but the past several years of reconnecting with Russ have been so sweet. Prayers for comfort for all who loved him and will miss him.

What a great loss to Scouting in Atlanta.
Russ was a good friend who made so many contributions to the North Atlanta District scouting organizations. He was a very good friend whom I will miss. Blessings to his family in their time of grief.

I look forward to reforming our quartet with you in heaven, my friend. God's blessings and comfort to your family during this difficult time.

The UT Singers family has lost a great one, and Russ kept the UT Singers legacy alive.  We had some great times together, and I will miss him greatly. Now, it is up to the rest of us to follow him in keeping the UT Singers family connected.

Our hearts are heavy at the news of Russ' passing. He was a delight to know and love. Heaven's choirs have gained a wonderful tenor. Praying for the family.

OBITUARY

Russell Hoyt Dabney

May 28, 1951 – January 23, 2013

H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services