"Sir" Henry Clay Russell

Russell, Henry Clay, (Sir) - age 93, of Knoxville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2014, at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living Facility. He was a faithful member of Church Street United Methodist Church and the Murphy Builders Sunday School Class. Born August 20, 1921, in Claiborne County, Tennessee to parents, Robert Milton and Mossie Fortner Russell. After high school he attended Berea College in Kentucky and worked for the Aluminum Company of America in Alcoa before joining the U.S. Navy in 1943. He served faithfully during World War II aboard the USS Hancock. Following active duty, he continued to serve with the Naval Reserve Mobile Construction Battalion 24 (Seabees) until retiring with the rank of Commander in 1981. Henry attended the University of Tennessee, receiving his degree in electrical engineering. He worked many years for the Knoxville Utility Board and later, for the Tennessee Valley Authority. He served as Project Manager in Thermal Power Engineering for the Phipps Bend and Hartsville nuclear plants. Following retirement in 1982, Henry enjoyed his four grandchildren, golf, keeping up with current events, and gardening. In spite of condo living with lawn care included, this sign, “I MOW THIS GRASS- HR” was posted in his yard for a number of years. He also took an active role as a board member of his HOA. He was a master storyteller; his stories will be remembered and cherished. He was a great fan of UT and Farragut High School football, and helped with the Admiral program until his health declined. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Ada Maude Gibson and Lucile Sharpe; brothers, Roy and Fred Russell; and infant son, Robert Stephen Russell. All of these were there at the gates of Heaven to welcome him home. Left to share his memory and celebrate his life are loving wife of 64 years, Aileen Martin Russell; daughters, Susan Lane and Anita Courtney (Eddie); grandchildren, Bethany Lane Usry (Steve), Christopher Lane, Megan Courtney, and Geoffrey Courtney; nieces, Barbara Sharpe, Mary Ann Mehringer, Karen Martin Campbell (Phil and MacKenzie); and cousins, Eula Gray Goddard, Juanita Morton, and Rowena Barnes. Also there are too many faithful friends, coworkers, and caregivers to mention here in name but they all know who they are. Anyone whose life was touched by “Sir Henry” Russell was better for it. The family would like to thank the staffs of Arbor Terrace Assisted Living and Amedysis Home Healthcare and Hospice for their kind compassionate care over the past eighteen months. In keeping with the spirit of Henry’s great generosity, his cardiac pacemaker will be donated to UT Large Animal Clinical Sciences Center. Services to honor and celebrate Henry’s life are as follows, The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm, with Rev. Cabel W. Trent officiating. The family and friends will meet at 10:45 am, Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at Lynnhurst Cemetery, for an 11:00 am interment service with Full Military Honors conducted by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Church Street United Methodist Church, Farragut High School Football, or the Arbor Terrace Employees Appreciation Fund. Online obituary may be viewed and condolences extended at www.rosemortuary.com.

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"Sir" Henry Clay Russell

August 20, 1921 - August 30, 2014