Raymond Earl Russell

Ray Russell was born May 12, 1939, in Lincoln County, Nebraska, the youngest of eight children. He was raised in a rural community, graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agricultural, and attended University of Nebraska at Kearney, earning a BS in education. He taught and coached High School athletics for three years in Nebraska, then joined the Air Force in 1965.

He graduated the USAF Pilot Training program in 1966, and over the course of his Air Force career, he flew T-37s, T-38s, the B-52, and served in the Vietnam War in an A-26 and as a Forward Air Controller in the O-2. When he returned from Southeast Asia, he again flew the B-52, as well as the T-39 and the C-131. He left the Air Force to fly commercially and was the Chief Pilot at Ports of Call, a private flying club out of Denver, then served as Director of Operations for American Trans Air, headquartered in Indianapolis. During these commercial flight years, he flew the 707, 727, 737, 747, 757, the Convair 990, and the L-

1011. He begrudgingly retired from flying passengers when the FAA required it at age 65 but continued working as a check airman in the 727 and 747 simulators.

He and Donna moved to The Villages from Colorado in 2015. Ray was an excellent athlete through his high school and college years, and - in The Villages - loved to golf with his friends, although he was continually frustrated by his inability to master the game. He also enjoyed the Bourbon and Cigar evenings with his golfing buddies, playing poker, dinner out with friends, and all the activities with friends in his wonderful "Cranes" neighborhood. He was a dedicated beer enthusiast, and an avid football fan, loyally supporting the Denver Broncos and the Nebraska Huskers. His passion for airplanes never waned; he noted every plane in the sky, on the ground, in books, movies and song. His heart, his head and his office are filled with flying memorabilia.

He was a loving husband, devoted father, doting grandfather and adoring great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, daughter Janet Rae (Steve Ciciora), son Craig (Kristen), grandsons Nick and Chad (Grace), and great-grandsons Scotty and Charlie, as well as many nieces and nephews.

"Captain Russell, you are cleared for takeoff on Runway 27"

A Celebration of Life for Raymond will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 12-4PM with Military Honors starting at 3:00PM at Dignity Memorial Life Celebration Center, 7134 Powell Road in Wildwood.