Jerry Edward Russell

Millfield - Jerry Edward Russell, 67, of Millfield, died Sunday, March 8, 2026 at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens surrounded by his family.

Born May 15, 1958, in Athens, Ohio, he was the son of the late John William and Goldie Mae McCune Russell. Jerry was a 1976 graduate of Athens High School.

If you have ever been to Seaman’s Grocery on West Union you’ve probably crossed paths with Jerry. He began his employment there when he was sixteen years old and continued to work there through the end of life. He throughly enjoyed working at Seaman's and worked his way up to the top position of store manager. Though most will remember him for his expertise in the meat department as head butcher.

He was also a member of the Athens Elks Lodge and some would say he was an expert poker player, after he ran the table and left with everyone’s money. In his spare time Jerry enjoyed landscaping, bowling, and doing major house-hold repairs most would hire a professional for. 

He never missed his children’s sporting events, and volunteered with the AHS marching band to be closer to his daughter and grand daughter at competitions. He was a true family man that believed in a good old fashion hard day's work. He and his wife loved to travel and took many vacations across the country with family, a favorite trip being a visit to Hawaii with his wife. Another dream vacation to Alaska was scheduled prior to his illness, but he was unable to attend.

He is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Marcia Lynne Gourley Russell; two sons, Tad Russell and Jeremy (Carlista) Russell; one granddaughter-daughter, Abigail Russell; one brother, John (Cindy) Russell; one sister, Judith (Lewis Jones) Russell; one sister-in-law, Paula Russell; close nephew, Jason Riley Keirns, along with several other aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Melody Lynne Russell and one brother, Joseph Russell.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Hughes Funeral Home in Athens. Burial will be at a later date at Athens Memory Gardens. Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at ehwfh.com