Richard T. Russell died Monday, September 3, 2007, in a local hospital. He was 78.
Mr. Russell was the son of the late Jere G. Russell and Ruth Moore Russell. He was a graduate of Chattanooga High School and attended the University of Chattanooga where he studied Business Administration. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity.
He was employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee. He retired in 1993 after 44 years of service. He served as Director of Data Processing and was responsible for the installation of Blue Cross's first Electronic Computer in 1961.
He was active in the Adopt-A-School program. He tutored many children over a 20-year period at G. Russell Brown Elementary, Chattanooga Elementary, Normal Park Elementary, Rivermont Elementary and McBrien Elementary. He won the J. C. Penney Golden Rule Award for his service to the Schools.
He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and served on active duty during the Korean Conflict.
He is survived by his brother, Dr. Don Russell and wife Louise; nephew Don Russell, Jr., and wife Brenda; two nieces, Darrington Russell Crane (Doug), and Ellen Russell Fulkerson (Mark); two great-nephews, Don Russell, III and Judd Crane; three great-nieces, Chellie Crane, Emma Fulkerson and Zoe Fulkerson; and special friends, Russell E. and Lisa Cash, Richard Russell Cash and Brenda Cash.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Greenwood Cemetery with the Rev. Aline Summerlin officiating.
The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist 404 South Moore Road.
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