Russell Franklin "Rusty" Flesher, Jr.

Russell Franklin “Rusty” Flesher, Jr., 61, of Stuarts Draft, passed away on November 2, 2018 at Augusta Health in Fishersville surrounded by his adoring family. Born May 10, 1957, the only child to the late Geraldine (Puffenbarger) and Russell Flesher, Sr., Mr. Flesher’s battle with head and neck cancer served as a prevailing inspiration to those who encountered him on a daily basis. A 1979 graduate of Radford College, Mr. Flesher was employed for 36 years at Hershey Chocolate of Virginia, where he worked diligently as a Quality Assurance Manager. A lifetime resident of Augusta County, Mr. Flesher’s dedication to his community was remarkable. He served in many supporting roles in the Stuarts Draft High School Athletic Department and local youth sport organizations. Hilton Head Island was his personal paradise, and a favorite destination for his loved ones to gather. Mr. Flesher was an avid sports fan, and cherished victories from the Baltimore Orioles and University of Notre Dame Football. Nothing matched the passion he had for his family. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jackie; three children, son Craig and wife Beth, daughter Beth and husband Jayme, daughter Jennifer and husband Whittney; and six grandsons, Carter, Addison, and Bennett Flesher, and Grant, Owen, and Ryan Brafford. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes. A funeral service for Mr. Flesher will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church, in Stuarts Draft, on Tuesday, November 6, at 11:00 AM. Pastor Earl Monroe will officiate the service, and active pallbearers will be Jayme Brafford, Whittney Coffey, Jim Almarode, Randy Houff, Bill Perdue, and Darrell Sheets. Interment will follow the service at Augusta Memorial Park. A special token of gratitude is extended from the family to Dr. Paphitis and staff at the UVA Hope Center and Tracy Weikel at Johns Hopkins for their compassionate care of Mr. Flesher during his fight. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those desiring make memorial donations to the UVA Hope Cancer Center – 57 Beam Lane, Fishersville, Va, 22939, or the Stuarts Draft High School Athletic Department – 1028 Augusta Farms Road, Stuarts Draft, Va, 24477. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com