Birth date: Oct 12, 1951 Death date: May 30, 2023
Roger Edward Russell, 71, passed away on May 30, 2023, in Germantown, TN. He was born on October 12, 1951, in Lins, Austria. Roger was a caring and giving man who loved everyone he met. He had a great love for his family, friends, Read Obituary
Rest in peace my old friend and longtime co-worker. You won't be forgotten...
Uncle Roger was more than an Uncle to me and my siblings. He fiercely protected his family and made us feel loved. He always put his family first. A memory I look fondly back on is a day I was leaving his house with my husband Blake and our kids. He would always go outside with us to the car to see us off, but this time he stayed at my passenger side window and talked with me and Blake for at least 10 minutes. It made me want to just unpack my car again and head back inside his house. His sense of humor was unparalleled and he kept all of us laughing. He will be missed tremendously.
Love, Ashley
Roger was not only one of my favorite cousins, he was one of the kindest people I have ever known. He was always the face I looked for @ family get togethers because he was such a joy to be around. He had a way of making you feel so loved - Always. He was a true family man & it was apparent to anyone that knew him, that he LOVED his family. He & Cindy have been a constant source of love & support in the best & worst of times. No matter how much time passed between visits, he always made me feel like he genuinely loved seeing me. From the moment our eyes met, he'd smile & come to give me the best hug! A real one! Not one of those sideways hugs with a gentle pat on the shoulder - One of those grab and squeeze the air outta you hugs...He always left me wanting to spend more time with him. I wish I could be 1/2 the person Roger was--His absence, forever felt. I pray that God will surround Cindy with His Mercy, Grace & Comfort, sustaining her in the days ahead...
Uncle Roger was a constant, a rock. You knew what he thought and where he stood. If he was in your corner, he was in 110%. He was a man of honor and integrity, who loved our country. There is not one memory, but a lifetime of memories, at all the important junctures of my life. Always there and supportive, many athletic events, plays, graduations, even that time I was lead singer and guitarist (11th Grade) for “Fatal Threat” at Strings and Things “Battle of the Bands” after 2 rehearsals, singing through a real PA with Reverb, didn’t go really well, he was there, we both kept that secret!
In early junior high, I can’t remember why, but I had to get a new baseball glove. Somehow, I must have lost my other one, which was a cherished, well-worn piece of leather that had to be immediately replaced. A new glove presents a dilemma because it is not well worn, or broken in, and picking the right one is essential. Uncle Roger, my dad, and I went to Dowdle Sporting Goods. It was the height of the recession in the late 70s, early 80s. We came across a Wilson A-2000. In the late 50s, Wilson revolutionized the baseball glove and it was branded the “A-2000.” Even today, the top of Wilson’s glove line is the A-2000.
I did not know this history at the time, but when I picked up the A-2000, I knew it was the best glove ever, it immediately felt great and broken in just right. The problem was that it was the American made premier leather version that cost $80 (about $300 today). We couldn’t afford a $300 glove for a 7th grader. So, we looked at the Korean made “A-2000,” and gave it a try. It was a good glove, more moderately priced at $40 (what we had expected to spend), pretty much the going rate for good gloves at the time. I wanted to like it, because $80 was a lot of money, but the Korean made glove was not the same and after trying the American Made A-2000, all the other gloves felt woefully inadequate.
Uncle Roger told my dad that he would split the cost with him. I felt like the best player in the world with that glove. I still have that glove today and I am looking at it right now. I didn’t make the majors, in fact, it turns out the best part of my game was that glove that Uncle Roger helped my dad purchase. It gave me many incredible memories, including of when and how it was purchased.
I wished I had watched more baseball games with my Uncle Roger.
Uncle Roger gave the very best hugs. I'm a Russell by marriage and was fortunate to spend many joyful occasions with the Memphis Russells. Whenever we were leaving, Uncle Roger would hug you for real. A huge embrace including meaningful and kind words of encouragement. You always knew that everything was forgiven with Uncle Roger. Whatever the distance or time between visits, you knew he was in your corner and rooting for you. That is a beautiful gift and legacy for all those lucky enough to learn from him. Sending everyone who reads this a {GREAT BIG Uncle-Roger-Style HUG} with encouragement to keep on keeping on, and when you can, to pass it along.
Roger was the dedicated IT in my unit in Criminal Investigation for many years. He sat right across the isle from me. He was always kind. He had a gentle soul. He loved music. When I retired, he recorded a CD of songs from our era for me. We were the.same age. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. The world is a better place because he was in it. My deepest condolences to his family & friends at this difficult time.
I can't remember a time in my life when Uncle Rog wasn't around ! When my siblings and I were growing up if we weren't at Uncle Rog and Aunt Cindy's house , they were at our house . They were with us for all the holidays and birthdays were celebrated together . When Myself , my brother Brian and sister Jennifer were little , before our little sister Ashley was born and Aunt Cindy and Uncle Rog had Kevin and Kristal , we use to go spend the night with them often. I remember Uncle Rog saying that when He and Aunt Cindy had a child they wanted a child just like me ! I remember Our cousin Tara coming and staying with Aunt Cindy and Uncle Rog in summer after her mother passed , and Uncle Rog took us swimming and He and Aunt Cindy made it like one big long slumber party..... in fact I recall my sister Jennifer blowing up their microwave ( accidentally of course!! ) during one of those slumber parties!! I remember hearing Uncle Roger play a Doors record and I developed a love for the doors . Even after I had Children myself , My Uncle and Aunt were always involved , They showed up to the soccer games , the dance recitals , and I can only name one time they weren't able to attend one of my kids birthday parties. One year my TV went out , so Uncle Rog and Aunt Cindy bought me a TV for Christmas , but Uncle Rog gave it to me in October because he didnt want my babies missing any holiday cartoons / shows ! When I was about 42 , Uncle Rog and Aunt Cindy came to my house for dinner one night and I decided that I was adult enough to just call my Uncle just by his first name , so I called him Roger in conversation , He immediately said " I am your UNCLE Roger. " For Uncle Roger Family was EVERYTHING . He and Aunt Cindy were just always there , I'm so grateful that I got to hang out with him a few days before he passed and we talked about me being a grandmother now and I got the chance to tell him that I loved him .
Love You Uncle Rog and all of us kids will make sure Aunt Cindy is ok , Nene
