Roy James Russell
February 10th, 1954 - November 5th, 2021
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Roy's Obituary
Roy James Russell, 67 of Stevensville Michigan passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021. Roy was born on February 10, 1954 in Rome, New York to James Ray Russell and Roberta Louise Russell, the first of 3 children followed by siblings, Ann and Lynn. Roy met the love of his life Mary Kathleen Haight while attending Clarkson University. They were married December 4, 1976, in Canandaigua New York.
During his youth Roy enjoyed soccer and baseball, playing with his yoyo and was a square dance champion. He graduated from Adirondack Senior High School and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University. Roy has a Professional Engineering License and belonged to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Upon graduating, Roy and Mary moved to Pennsylvania, then Ohio where Roy worked for AEP. It was there they welcomed their first son, Jonathan in 1981. He then transferred to the D.C. Cook Plant in Michigan where the family set down roots. In 1986, the family welcomed a second son Christopher. Raising his family in the Saint Joseph area and meeting many friends which he considered best friends was what made Roy the happiest. Roy was very active in the St. Joseph, Benton Harbor Elks where he served as the Past Exalted Ruler and Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. In 2003 he accepted a job in Chapin South Carolina, where he worked at the V.C. Summer Plant in Jenkinsville, South Carolina, all the while eagerly awaiting his return to Michigan. While in South Carolina he and Mary being avid Buffalo Bills fans became founding members of the Bills Backers of the Midlands, a group that grew to be over 200 members. Roy also became a volunteer at Pawmetto Lifeline for over ten years helping cats find their furever homes. Roy retired in 2019, and moved back to Michigan in 2020. Roy Enjoyed playing golf on the Elks league at Pipestone Creek where he spent many hours searching for his ball while enjoying the company of his fellow Elks. He was also a member of the Benton Harbor Moose Club and a perpetual member of the Denny’s Breakfast Club. Upon his return to Michigan, Roy was diagnosed with Cancer and then in October, Covid which ended his life after a courageous fight.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary, sons Jonathan (Ashley) Russell, Christopher (Mindy) Russell and Grandchildren; Katie, Ben, Connor, Elizabeth and Maggie. He is also survived by siblings; Ann (Steve) Hart and Lynn (Jen) Russell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Roberta Russell and stepmother Emily Russell.
Visitation for Roy will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Starks Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085. Visitation will resume Tuesday morning, November 16, 2021, from 11 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12 p.m. Roy will be laid to rest at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Please make donations in honor of Roy to Elks Major Project. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
During his youth Roy enjoyed soccer and baseball, playing with his yoyo and was a square dance champion. He graduated from Adirondack Senior High School and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University. Roy has a Professional Engineering License and belonged to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Upon graduating, Roy and Mary moved to Pennsylvania, then Ohio where Roy worked for AEP. It was there they welcomed their first son, Jonathan in 1981. He then transferred to the D.C. Cook Plant in Michigan where the family set down roots. In 1986, the family welcomed a second son Christopher. Raising his family in the Saint Joseph area and meeting many friends which he considered best friends was what made Roy the happiest. Roy was very active in the St. Joseph, Benton Harbor Elks where he served as the Past Exalted Ruler and Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. In 2003 he accepted a job in Chapin South Carolina, where he worked at the V.C. Summer Plant in Jenkinsville, South Carolina, all the while eagerly awaiting his return to Michigan. While in South Carolina he and Mary being avid Buffalo Bills fans became founding members of the Bills Backers of the Midlands, a group that grew to be over 200 members. Roy also became a volunteer at Pawmetto Lifeline for over ten years helping cats find their furever homes. Roy retired in 2019, and moved back to Michigan in 2020. Roy Enjoyed playing golf on the Elks league at Pipestone Creek where he spent many hours searching for his ball while enjoying the company of his fellow Elks. He was also a member of the Benton Harbor Moose Club and a perpetual member of the Denny’s Breakfast Club. Upon his return to Michigan, Roy was diagnosed with Cancer and then in October, Covid which ended his life after a courageous fight.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary, sons Jonathan (Ashley) Russell, Christopher (Mindy) Russell and Grandchildren; Katie, Ben, Connor, Elizabeth and Maggie. He is also survived by siblings; Ann (Steve) Hart and Lynn (Jen) Russell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Roberta Russell and stepmother Emily Russell.
Visitation for Roy will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Starks Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085. Visitation will resume Tuesday morning, November 16, 2021, from 11 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12 p.m. Roy will be laid to rest at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Please make donations in honor of Roy to Elks Major Project. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Memorial Contributions
Elks Major Project
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