Jerry Curtis Russell

July 7, 1937 – January 2, 2023

Lived 85 years

Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery · Fernley, Nevada

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Jerry served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.

Life story

Captain Jerry Curtis Russell, USN, RET passed away peacefully in Sparks, Nevada on January 2nd, 2023 following a brief illness. He was with his children when he passed. He is survived by his wife Sharon, his brother Harold, son Doug, daughter Jill, and his grandchildren Hunter, Vance, Rome and McKenna.

Jerry was born on July 7th, 1937 to Ara and Vance Russell in Bullard, Oregon. Calling Coquille and Bandon, Oregon home, Jerry attended Oregon State College from 1955 to 1959, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. While attending Oregon State, Jerry met Sharon Steel at a cornfield dance, and they were together ever since. Married in 1959, they briefly lived in Oregon until Jerry was drafted into the Armed Services.

Jerry joined the Navy, attending Officer Candidate School, and being commissioned as an Ensign. Upon commissioning, Jerry was selected for a new aviation program that became the Naval Flight Officer program. Jerry was one of, if not the first, officers designated as a Naval Flight Officer. Following this designation, Jerry joined the VP community, flying the P2 Neptune and later P3 Orion. These aircraft were predominately engaged in Anti-submarine warfare missions throughout the world.

Jerry's Naval career took him and his family around the world, including assignments in Whidbey Island, Washington (VP-2); Fernley, California (NAVFAC Centerville Beach); Barbers Point, Hawaii (VP-6 then OIC NAVFAC Barbers Point); Newport, Rhode Island (Naval War College); Jacksonville, Florida (USS Saratoga); Virginia Beach, Virginia (COSL); Lexington Park, Maryland (VXN-8 XO/CO); Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania (Army War College); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (COSP and then CO NOPF); and Crystal City, Virginia (SPAWAR).

Following retirement from the Navy, Jerry worked briefly (7 years) as a defense contractor with Booz, Allen and Hamilton, before opening one of the first micro-breweries in the mid-Atlantic region, Potomac River Brewing Company. After a very successful run as a brewer, Jerry and Sharon fully retired, living in Rocklin, California for nearly 13 years. In December, 2020, Jerry and Sharon relocated to Sparks, Nevada to be able to spend time with their grandchildren.

Jerry was a life-long athlete, competing in crew while in college, and then taking up running in early 1980. Jerry became and avid long-distance runner, completing 12 marathons and dozens of 5 and 10K races. Jerry ran his last marathon at the age of 70, finishing first in his age group.

Jerry loved his family with all of his heart, and absolutely doted on his wife Sharon. He was so very proud of both of his children; his son Doug followed in his footsteps as a Naval Aviator and his daughter Jill became a Merchant Mariner. He loved watching football with Vance, talking about the Navy with Rome, and celebrating a shared birthday with McKenna. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

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