Charles D. Russell

Charles D. Russell, 85, US Army CW4 (retired), passed away Monday, June 18, 2012, at Liberty Heights in Colorado Springs, CO. "Chuck" or "Charlie", as he was known to his friends, was born March 17, 1927, (St. Patrick's Day) in Eureka, Kansas, to Charles D., Sr. and Ellen L. (Erickson) Russell.

Charles served his country in World War II and the war in Vietnam and retired from the U.S. Army after serving 30 years. He was awarded the Legion of Merit at Ft. Douglas, Utah at his retirement ceremony on August 31, 1985.

Charles' family moved to McPherson, Kansas before he became of school age. There he grew up attending Victory Grade School (South of McPherson), Roosevelt Grade School, McPherson Junior High School, McPherson Senior High School and McPherson College. He worked full time for the Kansas National Guard in McPherson for many years until his brigade was activated during the Vietnam War. Since he was drafted soon after graduating from High School in 1945, and then recalled to active duty again in 1968, Charles used to comment that after being drafted twice, he might as well stay in the Army and make it a career, which is exactly what he did!

He married Phyllis J. McAnulty on November 24, 1949. Two children were born to this marriage; a daughter, Vicki L., and a son, Charles III. Phyllis passed away in Frankfurt, Germany on February 13, 1973.

Survivors include: a son, Charles D. Russell, III of Lawton; OK, a daughter, Vicki L. Story (David) of Mt. Vernon, WA; two brothers, James A. Russell of Henderson, NV and William H. Russell of Kaneohe, HI; an adopted son, Spencer Chen of Ogden, UT; a foster son, Roy "Mat" Matsapto of Colorado Springs, CO; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a brother, Delbert, and three sisters, Mildred L. Russell, Dorothy L. Russell, and Mary L. (Russell) Hutchinson. Delbert was killed on Saipan during World War II, while serving with the 2nd Marine Division.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 23, 2012, at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the Rev. Les Cantrell officiating. Burial, with full Military Honors, will take place at Crestwood Memorial Park, McPherson. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to First Baptist Church, McPherson or the Children's Cancer Research Fund, in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charles D. Russell please visit our Sympathy Store.