Jack Aubrey Russ

June 28th, 1961 ~ March 18, 2021

 Jack Russ passed, from earthly life, unexpectedly on March 18th, 2021.  Jack had been a resident of Chapel Hill for several years prior to his death at UNC hospital.  

Jack was pre-deceased by his Grandparents Marie and Jack Pate of Wilmington, Pearl and Albert Russ of Kelly, his parents Joyce and Aubrey Russ of Kelly, and his (Saint Mary's Catholic Church) friend Neil Cahill of Leland, NC.  

Jack is survived by his sister Cheryl Russ, and friend Allen Dittmer, of Chapel Hill as well as long-term friends Lori Klein, (of Wilmington), Eston Roberts (of Mount Pleasant) and first cousin Robby McCotter of Vandemere, NC.

In childhood Jack was a member of Centerville Baptist, and also attended Trinity Methodist, Church where he grew up in Kelly, NC.  Around 1980 Jack scored the highest GED score (as of that date) in Bladen County, did well on the SAT test and briefly attended Pembroke College. Jack's Pembroke attendance was cut short, however, due to difficulties that exacerbated a mental health condition Jack struggled with.  Jack also received a certification in horticulture from Johnston county Community College.  

Though Jack enjoyed playing (and seemed unbeatable in) chess in his youth, history and geography were the loves of his life.  In the 1990's Jack took a history class at Cape Fear Community College and (in excitement) correctly answered all the questions the instructor asked. Jack's enthusiasm had prevented him from noticing that he was over-shadowing his classmates, who hadn't acquired the history knowledge that Jack had, until the instructor, politely, asked Jack to let the other class members answer.  In the early 2000's Jack joined Saint Mary's Catholic Church, in Wilmington, and appreciated the acceptance he found there.

Due to (changes in the system and) increasingly difficulty maintaining a living situation that worked for him in Wilmington, Jack relocated (in 2017) to live near his sister in Chapel Hill.  In Chapel Hill Jack attended Club Nova Community for structure and support.  Prior to the covid lockdown, Jack chose to attend Club Nova every week day; he helped in the kitchen, occasionally visited the thrift shop, and appreciated the scenic yard area. Jack spent his spare time reading and, although history and geography were his favorite subjects, he read the Bible more than any other book.  Since childhood Jack seemed especially drawn to Ecclesiastes writings on the subject of vanity and life struggles.

Following his death, Jack's body was returned to Wilmington to rest in the connections he had to that area.

In respect for Jack's life, spirit, and soul a Deacon (from Saint Mary's Catholic Church) did a short, private, prayer blessing with his body on April 12.  The following day Jack's sister Cheryl, Allen Dittmer, and Lori Klein drove to Fort Fisher (one of Jack's favorite places) to remember him with prayerful meditation under the beach oak trees of the area.   Following the Fort Fisher trip, Jack was also honored, in prayer, at the grave site of his namesake Grandfather in Wilmington.

As Jack's sister writing this, it occurs to me that the power in Jack's life may have actually lie within the actions he didn't take...the words that he didn't say...the silence that can grow within, like a prayer, and reach into limitless eternity.  We take comfort in the knowing that within death is re-birth...into the afterlife.

"Sometimes even to live is an act of courage" Seneca. 

Condolences are appreciated in Andrews online guest book.