Thomas Edward Russell, 85, passed away Friday, December 20, 2024, in Advance, North Carolina.
He was a resident of Lewis County for most of his life, having grown up in the Holly Branch area and later residing in both Vanceburg and Tollesboro. For the past four years, Tom and his wife Eulane Applegate Russell split their time between their homes Kentucky and North Carolina.
Tom was born February 3, 1939, the only child of the late Paul Russell and Margaret Love Russell Esham. Paul passed away when Tom was very young, and he and Margaret were both blessed to have Bill Esham enter their lives. Tom called him Pop and Bill raised Tom as his son.
Tom retired from teaching the high school sciences of biology, chemistry and occasionally anatomy. Many students vividly recall dissecting a frog in his class. For a time, he took a break from teaching and sold insurance and farmed. His daughters vividly recall pulling plants and setting tobacco with him. Tom returned to teaching until his retirement. His retirement job was mowing at Tee City Golf Course. He truly loved doing that and made so many friends from his time at the golf course. In fact, he enjoyed mowing so much, he bought the biggest lawnmower he could find for his personal use. Besides golf, Tom’s favorite hobby was fishing, and he spent many hours on the waters of Kinniconick Creek. Some of his fondest memories were of family vacations spent fishing the lakes of Minnesota.
Tom is survived by his wife Eulane. Tom and Eulane knew each other in grade school and reconnected at a class reunion a few years ago. They were married on June 30, 2020, and were very happy together.
Other survivors include his daughters, Kimberlee Flannigan and Amy (Nick) Adams of Lewis County; a grandson JT (Laken) Britt of Lexington; granddaughters, Kyra Adams of Northern Kentucky, Mollee Flannigan of Lexington, and Jaisa Adams of Lewis County. He is also survived by Eulane’s brothers and sisters, TB Applegate of Tollesboro, Winfred Applegate of Mansfield, Ohio, Eugene (Sharon) Applegate of Portland, Oregon, Maxine Cropper of Mansfield, Ohio, Carol Foxworthy of Mt. Sterling, Bonnie Fulton of Ripley Ohio, and Bobbie (Charles) Gutenson of Lexington. Â
At the family’s request, there will be no service at this time. A memorial service will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorials are suggested to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane Suite C, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
