Kenneth Raymond Russell

Kenneth Raymond Russell, 94, died on January 18, 2022. The oldest of seven children born to Dennis Benedict and Alberta Sommer Russell, he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ronald Russell, Dennis (“Mickey”) Russell, Richard Russell; his beloved wife of 64 years Dean Russell; and his great-granddaughter Claire Epperly.

While a senior at Male High School (Louisville, Kentucky), he took advantage of the WWII program that allowed him to enlist in the service branch of his choice. Sworn into the Navy on the day FDR died, he shipped off to training in Sampson, New York, a few days after graduation. Serving as a Seaman 1st Class, Kenneth’s most memorable service was aboard the USS Arkansas shuttling troops home during the 1946 Operation Magic Carpet. He frequently reminisced about berthing in Pearl Harbor to his family. Seventy years later he returned to Hawaii with his son and daughter-in-law and was honored to be welcomed aboard the USS Arizona Memorial.

After the war and his service concluded Kenneth attended the University of Louisville, where he met and married Dean Whitehouse, another Navy veteran. Graduating in 1950, he began his insurance career working for Michigan Mutual and moving with promotions from Kentucky to North Carolina and Ohio. Over the next forty-plus years he served in executive positions at Republic-Franklin (RFI), Meridian Mutual, Grange Mutual, Alexander and Alexander, and later co-owned Wolf Insurance Agency. An early C.P.C.U., he served as Columbus Chapter President and as a Trustee for the Griffith Foundation. He also enjoyed training the next generation as a long-time instructor for the Institute of Insurance of America (IIA) as well as the Professional Insurance Agents Association (PIA).

Kenneth’s deep faith was always an important part of his life. While in Columbus he was a long-time member of Christ United Methodist Church and, then over the past fifteen years, of Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church. Having joined the Masons as a young man, he later worked through the ranks of Freemasonry to join the Aladdin Temple Shrine. He particularly loved his work with the Hospitality Unit and the annual Shrine Circus. Throughout his life Ken was a keen bowler, bridge player, bicycler (riding T.O.S.R.V. for the first time on his 40th birthday), and photographer. Above all, he loved his Cincinnati Reds and was ever hopeful to see another “Big Red Machine” during his lifetime.

A kind and generous man, Kenneth will be greatly missed by his two sons Kenneth Alan (Laurel Devaney) Russell and David (Joy) Russell; daughter Laura Russell; two granddaughters Natalie (Andy) Thomas and Amy (Dustin) Epperly; three great-grandchildren Emma Thomas, Samuel Thomas, and Ethan Epperly; siblings Carolyn Williams, Katherine York, and Leroy Russell; and many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

A graveside inurnment for Kenneth Russell will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Mifflin Township Cemetery (Lot 66, Section M), 218 Agler Road, Columbus, Ohio 43230. Rev. Dr. Jeff Greenway officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to: The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284-0692, or, Shriners Children’s Ohio (Burns Unit), 1 Children’s Plaza-2 West, Dayton, Ohio 45404. Arrangements under the care of Cotner Funeral Home.

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