Lt. Col. George G. Russell Jr., U.S. Army (Retired), 91

MILFORD - Lt. Col. George G. Russell Jr., U.S. Army (Retired) of Milford, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009, at his home. He was 91. Mr. Russell was born on Aug. 4, 1918, in Milford, son of the late George G., Sr. and Anna Hallett Russell. He was a graduate of Milford High School. In 1940, George with several other Milford men, joined the 198th Coast Artillery. After graduating from Officer's Training School in 1948, he was sent overseas. Mr. Russell served during World War II in Europe, the Battle of the Bulge and in Normandy and Germany and also in the South Pacific. After serving his country proudly for over 23 years, he retired from the U.S. Army in 1963 as a Lt Colonel. Following retirement from the service, he returned to Milford where he was hired as the building inspector for the City of Milford. He was later appointed to the position of City Manager, which he held until 1978 when he retired. During his tenure with the City, he also served as a member of the Milford City Council. George was a member and past president of the Milford Kiwanis Club and was the Lt Governor of the 11th District of Kiwanis International in 1985. He was also a member of the Milford Senior Center and past president of their Board of Directors; a member and past Post Commander of the American Legion Post # 3 in Milford; a charter member of the Blue Hen VFW Post #6483 in Milford; a member of the Shrine Club of Delaware; the Masonic Temple Lodge No. 9 A.F.&A.M. of Milford; a member of the AARP, both local and national; the Milford Historical Society, Friends of the Milford Museum, the Officer's Club at the Dover Air Force Base; a past member of the Delaware League of Local Governments; a member and past vice president of the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation and a past member of the Delaware State Troopers Association and the Fraternal Order of Police. Mr. Russell was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Milford where he had served as an Elder. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Clara W. Russell and several nieces and nephews. Friends called from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., Milford, where there was a Masonic service held. Services were 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial with military honors followed in the Milford Community Cemetery on Walnut Street. Letters of condolence may be emailed at www.delmarvaobits.com/rogers.