Jerry Russell

Jerry (James) Russell, age 87, of Dilworth, MN, gained his angel wings on July 19, 2024. Jerry lived his life as a Southern gentleman, showing kindness and love to everyone who crossed his path.

Jerry was born August 29, 1936, in Marvel, Alabama, a small coal mining town. He grew up hunting and fishing the hills and ravines of this small community, attending and graduating from West Blocton High School. After graduation, he followed his oldest brother, Charlie, to Indiana, where he worked various jobs. After a couple of years, he returned to the Birmingham area and married Brenda Pruitt, and from this union, they were blessed with James David (Dave), a carbon copy of his dad, a very caring and loving gentleman.

Jerry joined the Army on October 13, 1959. The world opened up to him as he was stationed overseas, allowing him to visit Holland, France and Germany. On January 18, 1962, he received his honorable discharge and returned to Orlando Florida where he worked as a quality control specialist for Martin Marietta. In May 1973 Jerry and several of his fellow co-workers were transferred to Langdon ND to help install the missel site. This is where Jerry met the love of his life Jean (Stach). They had a whirlwind courtship and married on March 14, 1975. 

A layoff from Martin Marrietta provided Jerry with the opportunity to try another occupation, so with a 6-week crash course on restaurant management, he moved his little family to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where, together with the help of Jean and Dave, they managed the Country Kitchen. In the spring of 1977, it was time to head to Birmingham, where Jerry enjoyed introducing his young wife to his family and all the Southern hospitality and amazing Southern food. While in Birmingham, Jerry worked for Hay’s aircraft as a Quality Control Specialist for ten years. Even though hunting and fishing were still a part of their life while in Birmingham, Jerry and Jean discovered square dancing and enjoyed it so much that Jerry became President of the square dance club, and they represented the club as King and Queen at the National Square Dance Convention in Birmingham. In September 1987, Jerry and Jean moved back to Minnesota, where Jerry worked as a quality control specialist for a medical company. 1994 brought another direction for the two of them when Jean received a job offer in Jacksonville, Florida, and Jerry said sure, let’s go. This allowed us to be closer to our son Dave. Jerry retired in 1998 and enjoyed the leisure time and seeing the country with Jean when she was traveling. The next move came in 2003, returning to Minnesota and closer to the farm.

Jerry and Jean enjoyed traveling so much that they decided to join the snowbird life. They spent their summers in Minnesota, but when the snow started to fly, it was time to head south to Brooksville, Florida, and then, five years ago, to Foley, Alabama.

Jerry leaves behind his wife of 49+ years, Jean; son, Dave (Kellie); grandchildren, Ginger (Rachel), Jessica (Channon), Darcileen (Robert), and Stephen; six great-grandchildren, Ethan, Hunter, Issac, Regan, Laila and Kyleen; sister-in-laws, Jean Nolan, Sue (Jeff) Rasmussen, Marion Stach, Marge Murphy, and Diane Heilman; and many, many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Russell and Robbie Russell; siblings, Charlie, Jack, Gene, Maxine, Betty and Marvin; mother and Father-in-law, Evelyn and Bill Stach; brother-in-law, Bill; and sister- in-laws, Sandy and Peggy. 

Even though Jerry walks with our lord and has joined all the family gone before him, his spirit and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

The Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 25, 2024, with a visitation from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge. Pastor Dan Frosberg will be officiating the service. The burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests all memorials to be made in Jerry's name to Lake Park American Legion Post 181, P.O. Box 31, Lake Park, MN 56554, or a charity of your choice.