Jesse Rhodes ‘Jet’ Russell
Jesse Rhodes “Jet” Russell, 90, of Griffin and formerly of Monticello died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011 at Spalding Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Russell was born May 29, 1921 in Meriwether County, son of the late Thomas W. Russell and Sara Garrett Russell. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Thomas G. Russell and Robert B. Russell; sisters, Evelyn Russell and Sara Ann Russell.
Mr. Russell served as a Scout Raider in the Amphibious Force of the U.S. Navy during World War II serving 31 months of combat. He was in the invasions of Tarawa Marshall Islands, Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Mr. Russell graduated from the University of Georgia in 1950 and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity while there. In 1957 he graduated from the University of Florida. His B.S. and M.S. degrees were in economics. He worked in the Agricultural Economics Department at the Georgia Experiment Station 12 years before joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He retired as senior economist in Natural Resource Economic Division. Mr. Russell had many honors bestowed upon him while working in both capacities.
Mr. Russell was very community minded. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Griffin, a deacon and a Sunday school teacher for 50 years in the Russell’s Raiders Sunday School Class. Mr. Russell served as chairman of the Griffin Hospital Authority and as director on the Spalding Regional Medical Center board. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Monticello. He was a member of the American Legion, Griffin Elks Lodge, Jasper County Masons, A & FM, Scottish Rite Freemason, Shriner of Al Sihah Temple, Kiwanis Club of Griffin past President and fair manager, a director on the Georgia Fair Association, Ducks Unlimited sponsor and Georgia and Griffin Bulldog Clubs.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Mary Leila Benton Russell; sons & daughter-in-law, Hamp Russell and Lee and Sara Russell of Griffin; grandson, Travis Russell and wife, Stevy of Oregon and a granddaughter, Jennifer Russell of Griffin.
Funeral services for Mr. Russell were held Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 at the Griffin First Baptist Church. Dr. Bruce Morgan and Dr. Bill Hardee officiated with Rev. Kevin Lobello assisting. Interment followed in West View Cemetery in Monticello.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to First Baptist Church TV Ministry, 106 W. Taylor St., Griffin, GA 30224 or to UGA Trust Department, 394 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, GA 30602 for “Jet” Russell Endowment Fund.
Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin, GA is in charge of the arrangements.