June 25, 1956 - July 4, 2020
Memorial Gifts & Donations
Michael J. Russell having professed that by the grace of God and faith in his Savior and having the assurance of his salvation, redemption, and a new life after the end of his mortal life, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior around 4 July 2020 after an extended battle with chronic health issues. We are forever grateful to the family of the liver donor who provided us with 12 more Christmases together. Mike is survived by his parents John W. and Yvonne M. Russell, sister Laura A. (Kenneth) Carter, brother Doug (Karen) Russell and many close friends. Mike will be remembered as a precise and principled Naval Architect and Marine Engineer and an engaged naturalist and environmentalist who respected and appreciated God’s handiwork. A man of many talents, he was a master craftsman at all he undertook from baking bread to woodturning to gardening. Mike was a thoughtful and loving brother and son whose impact will be felt for generations to come. Although he will be missed dearly, precious memories of days gone by will be cherished for a lifetime. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia at foodbankonline.org or The Union Mission Ministries of Norfolk Virginia at unionmissionministries.org.
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We were very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Mike and I started working at the Combatant Craft Division at about the same time. I started in 1986 and I think Mike preceded me there by about a year. So we worked together there for over 30 years. I also worked with Mike everyday on his last project just before he retired. Mike may have mentioned my wife Jan and me as the people who took care of his dog Paco when he was traveling to New Orleans every week a few years back. Mike was a brilliant naval architect,… Read more »
Although we worked together for 25 years, I wasn’t that close with Mike. I got to know him a little better when we spent three weeks together in the early 1990’s working on a Navy project in Key West. Shortly after that, I recall his relief when he found out a liver was available for him. I remember Mike in the same way he was described in his obituary – a consummate professional, master craftsman, thoughtful and considerate. May Mike’s memory be eternal.