Mr. David W. Russ

FORT MEADE - Mr. David Willis Russ, 77, passed away Sunday, November 15, 2020 at his home in Fort Meade. Mr. Russ was born April 10, 1943 in Fort Meade, FL, where he was a lifelong resident, and graduating from Fort Meade High School, Class of 1961. He retired from IMC Fertilizer Co. as an assistant superintendent, having being a part of the formation of the IMC Kingsford Mine. and after serving 30 years with IMC, Mr. Russ enrolled in physical therapy school and worked as an assistant Physical Therapist for 20 years at Bartow Center and Hardee Manor nursing homes. He was a United States Navy veteran where he served as a radio operator and member of the Navy Honor Guard.

Faith, family and friends were very important to Mr. Russ, and he loved to influence the lives of children. For over 40 years he served as a children's Sunday School and Training Union teacher, as well as serving as a Deacon in Alturas, Mt. Pisgah, Lake Buffum Baptist Churches, and also First Baptist Church of Fort Meade. Above and beyond his church service, he also served many years as MC for the Fort Meade Jamboree.

Mr. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Purnil Willis Russ and Myrtle Russ Williams; daughter, Lesley Russ Shuman; sister, Ruth Russ Fletcher; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Russ and Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Sullivan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda McSwain Russ; sons, David Allen Russ, Matthew Clay Russ and companion Natasha Wajart, all of Fort Meade, FL; brother, Cleveland Russ and wife Wilene, Leesburg, FL; sisters, Margaret Rhoden, Bartow, FL and Barbara Orpurt and husband Rex, Sebring, FL; step-brothers, Randall Williams and wife Linda, Sarasota, FL, Bruce Williams and wife Terry, Fort Meade, FL, and Robert Williams, Idaho; grandchildren, An'tanyia Russ, Annsley Russ, and Matthew David Russ.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 20, 2020 at the First Baptist Church, 307 E. Broadway, Fort Meade. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary with Pastor Kenny Slay officiating. Interment will be in Lake Buffum Cemetery, Fort Meade.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171