Donald Russell
Born December 13, 1935
Donald Russell, age 81, of Newark, DE, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
A native Delawarean, Don was born in Wilmington on December 13, 1935, and was the son of the late Amos and Caroline (Spinden) Russell. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division in Germany. Don made his career with Christiana Care, where he served as the Director of Medical Photography, retiring after 32 years of employment.
A talented musician, he played the banjo in several area bands and most enjoyed playing with Herbie Crowe. Don looked forward to spending time with his nephews and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with them. In more recent years, Don took great pleasure in target shooting with his Ipsic shooting friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Marie Price and her husband, Herman; nephew, Brandt Price; and his faithful canine companion of 16 years, Ginger.
Don will be dearly missed by his wife, Janet; nephew, Kevin Price; great nephews, Jeff and Nathan Price; stepson, Robert Hall; step grandson, Bobby Pollman; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 11:30 am on Thursday morning, March 23, 2017 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11:30 am. Interment will follow in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Don’s memory may be made to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), 455 Stanton-Christiana Rd., Newark, DE 19713.
Susie Brown
May Don’s musical talents bring joy to the heavens’ as he brought joy to us while here on earth. Just hearing his serenades over the phone makes me smile. May the sound of his banjos play on.
Rod Ellingsworth
Don was a good friend and I’m glad to have known him…He will be missed…
Kevin Price
My uncle “Butch” had many talents through out his life. Music, IPSIC competing and most of all making friends with everyone he came in contact with. His amazing ability to tell a joke and make people laugh while you could almost picture the characters in the joke! Miss you every day.
Love you uncle butch!
Alex Williams
I knew Don from Gallucio’s over 30 years ago but have always remembered his sense of humor and enjoyment of life. He never bragged about himself, I didn’t know he was a paratrooper or played the banjo! He did introduce me to the greatness of Willie Nelson and I think of him whenever I hear the Stardust album. The world has lost another good guy.