Tommy Harold Russell, 88, of Dallas passed away peacefully at the Robin Johnson Hospice House on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, with his loving family by his side. Tommy was known to be jovial and upbeat. He enjoyed the outdoors including camping, boating, and water skiing. He enjoyed square dancing and he was known for being able to fix anything. He was a semi-professional tinkerer. He enjoyed woodworking and he even made toys for his grandsons. He always seemed to have the right part to help his family with any project or repair.
Tommy was a proud American and he served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was in ROTC during high school and he was a natural leader in the Army. Professionally, Tommy worked for 35 years with Public Service Gas Company, retiring as a supervisor in 1992. Tommy was a family man that cherished his wife and daughter, and he adored his two grandsons. He will be dearly missed by his family and all that knew and loved him.
Tommy was born in Thomaston, Georgia. He is the son of the late Ada (Parker) and Amos M. Russell. He was preceded in death by his step brother – Fred Russell.
Left to cherish his memory and to carry on his legacy is his childhood sweetheart and wife of 66 years – Bettye (Hughes) Russell. Grieving the loss of Tommy are his daughter Annette (Russell) Faulkner and husband Bob and grandsons Robert “Bobby” William Faulkner Jr. and Tommy Russell Faulkner and wife Destiny.
A celebration of Tommy’s life will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday, November 23, 2018, at Carothers Funeral Home Chapel, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM before the service. The burial will be private. Pastor Julis Allen will offer words of encouragement and hope to all those that gather to remember Tommy.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Tommy’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. Jude.org.
Online condolences and fond memories of Tommy may be made at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
The staff at Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Russell family during this difficult time.
