Lewis Henry Jr. Russell

Mr. Lewis Henry Russell, Jr. continued his eternal journey January 17, 2016.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 30 at Central United Methodist Church with Rev. Andy Langford officiating. The family will greet friends after the service in the church parlor.
Lewis was born January 24, 1929 in Elmira, NY, son of the late Lewis and Minnie Russell. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Lenore Huff, Mildred Saltus and brother, Carl Russell.
He enlisted in the Navy at age 17. Several months after an honorable discharge, he enlisted in the army, retiring as CW3 after 21 years. Retirement took him to Wyoming where he became a cowboy for a couple of years, fulfilling a childhood dream. After working as a licensed electrician, a maintenance supervisor in a uranium mine and as a load-out specialist in a coal mine and finally retirement from Grand Tetons National Park as a park ranger, he moved back east. His work with the Masons was a very fulfilling time in his life. He was a 32nd degree Mason and was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Wyoming. He received his 50 year pin in 2013. Lewis loved his family, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He taught them many things about nature and living in the wild, as well as challenging them to become the best they could.
Survivors include his loving wife, Betty Everett Mosher Russell, sons, Lewis III and Thomas Russell; daughter, Cathy Jenkins; sister, Beatrice Roughgarden; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081 or to Central United Methodist Church-Ruth Dollars Fund, 30 Union Street N., Concord, NC 28025