George Blaine Russell passed away on January 19th, 2010, at the Legacy House Hospice facility in Ocala, Fla., after a courageous 15 month battle with cancer.

Blaine was born September 14, 1944 to George and Wyoma Russell in Evansville. He was a 1962 graduate of Bosse High School and a 1966 graduate of Evansville College. He played baseball from Little League through college as a first baseman.

Upon graduation from college he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force serving in the Strategic Air Command as B-52 Pilot. He flew 100 plus missions over Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1972 with the rank of Captain.

He was a veteran's counselor at a college in Los Angeles, Calif., and retired as a claims representative with the Social Security Administration in Oxnard, Calif., in 1999.

After his retirement he pursued his passion for golf and moved to Clarksville, Tenn., where Eastland Green Golf Course became his course of choice. For the past three years the 13th fairway at Ocala Palms Golf & Country Club became his home and he played golf everyday that he could. Blaine was a past member of the Helfrich Hills Men's Golf Club of Evansville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Wyoma Russell.

He was a wonderful and generous big brother to his sister, Kalah, who survives him along with his brother-in-law, Tom Cook, nephews, Rusty and Trent and grandnephew, Klaxton, "The Little Tyke".

A memorial and celebration of his life will be held at a later date in the Magnolia Room of the Ocala Palms Golf & Country Club in Ocala, Fla. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Center of your choice.

Roberts Funeral Home Bruce Chapel West in Ocala, Fla., is handling arrangements. (352) 854-2266

February 09, 2010
I had the pleasure of knowing Blaine for many, many years as we both were growing up and finding our ways. I shall never forget his wonderful sense of humor, and his wit. His laugh was infectious in a room full of people. He also was gifted with a strong commitment to his beliefs. Many times I witnessed his response to a situation and he seldom wavered from is core beliefs. Blaine not only will be missed by his family and friends, but also by a world that desperately needs diverse resolution in its society. Goodbye Blaine, I for one shall never forget you, and the good things, and the happiness that you did for me and brought into my life.
Morris Heldt, Henderson, Nevada