Edward Benjamin Russ, Jr. of Wilmington, NC, died on December 19, 2008 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Wilmington, NC on June 28, 1946, the son of Celeste Price Russ, currently a resident of Brunswick Cove Living Center, and the late Edward Benjamin Russ.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sister, Dr. Gail S. Russ of Bloomington, IL; his brother, Harold B. Russ of Wilmington, NC; his aunts Doris Russ Bordeaux of Leland, Barbara Russ of Rock Hill, SC, Iris Russ of Fremont, CA, and Margie Price Knight of Durham, NC; as well as many cousins around the country.
Following his graduation from New Hanover High School in 1965, Ed worked three years for the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Virginia. He then served 14 years in the United States Air Force, and was a Vietnam veteran. After his military service, Ed worked in security for over six years. He joined Wal-Mart in the early 1990s, where he worked, primarily as a greeter, until his death.
Ed was an avid Civil War buff from childhood, and was a proud member of The Cape Fear Civil War Round Table for many years. He especially enjoyed their annual field trips, and he loved to share his deep knowledge of our local area history. In the early 1990s he was the staff photographer at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site, where he also conducted guided tours. His other hobbies included computers, electronics and photography, and his family remembers well his skill in pen and ink drawing.
Despite his poor health in recent years, he continued his work and hobbies with enthusiasm. Ed will be greatly missed. His was a gentle soul.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 702 Francis Marion Drive, Wilmington, on Sunday, December 28, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., during which a brief memorial service will be held at 3:00, conducted by his cousin, the Rev. Allen Grey of Leland, NC.
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