Beech Tree News Network

Mitchell Curtis Russ of Morgantown, KY died 23 August 2023 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 17, 1934 in Butler County, KY one of five children born to John and Annie Mae (Coker) Russ. He attended the old Morgantown High School until he was drafted by the Army. He decided he wanted to serve in the Navy, so he volunteered for that branch of service and served for four years on an UDT team (Now known as the Seals). He was a Korean War Veteran. He finished high school in the service and received his diploma from Morgantown High School, of which he was very proud. 

Mitchell was a member of Big Muddy Baptist Church, the first life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5837 in Morgantown, past Commander of Post 5837, past District Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, past member on the Board of Directors of the Green River Bank, (now Peoples Bank), on the Housing Authority Appeal Board, an airplane pilot, twice a Butler County Deputy Sheriff. He was listed in the 1974 edition of "Who's Who in Kentucky" and the 1975 edition of "Outstanding Americans in the South." He was "Veteran of the Year" for the Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 5837. He loved to fly his airplane, play golf, go fishing, ride horses and motorcycles. 

Mitchell and his wife were living in Owensboro, KY in 1965 when they got the chance to purchase the Dairy Mart restaurant in Morgantown, their home town. They moved back here and were owners of the Dairy Mart for almost thirty-seven years. As everyone knows, the Dairy Mart was the favorite "hang out place" for teenagers. Mitchell and Lois retired in 2001 and they sure did miss seeing all their customers and the many friends they had made over the years. 

Mitchell Russ is survived by his wife of sixty-five years Lois (Martin), one son Barry Russ and wife Deanna (Dudgeon), and one granddaughter Leesa Ann Russ, two sister in law's Dorothy (Moore) Russ and Sue (Gardner) Russ Hopper. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one daughter Lisa Ann Russ, three brothers Carl, Bobby and Tony Russ and one sister Gayle (Russ) Morris. 

Funeral services will be held at the Jones Funeral Chapel Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 11:00am with Bro. Darryl Dockery and Bro. Darrell Marran officiating. Burial will be in the Hill Haven Memory Gardens where military rights will be presented. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm and Saturday 8:00am until funeral time at 11:00am at the Jones Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Western Kentucky Veterans Center 926 Veterans Dr. Hanson, KY 42413. Please share any photos, memories, condolences, light a candle in memory of Mitchell or to send flowers please visit www.jonesfuneralchapel.com. Jones Funeral Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mitchell Curtis Russ.