Russell L. Ausburn, Sr. 89, of Columbia, died Thursday, October 6, 2011 at his home in Columbia. Graveside services with military honors will be at 1:00pm, Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Jacksonville State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO. Arrangements under the direction of Parker Funeral Service, Columbia, MO. Russell was born October 27 1921, in Columbia, MO to Clarence B. and Lola C. Coleman Ausburn. Living in Columbia, MO most of his life from 1939 to 1941 he was a superintendent at the Columbia Country Club. He loved the game of golf all his life and was a scratch golfer up to the age of 70, he played the game . In Jan of 1941 he enlisted in the US Navy and was in the pacific aboard the US Robert Keller aka. "The Killer Keller" for 5 years and fought in 9 major battles in Tarawa, Anaweta Quajalen, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Lati, Mandura, Lucian and the Philippine Sea Battle, he was at sea with Wm F. "Bull" Halsey, hauling high-octane gas from Santa Marie Espanditos to ships in battle. He went thru the worst typhoon ever recorded in history. He was awarded 5 bronze stars and the silver star for serving this country and received an honorable discharge in 1946. He went to work at manufacturing golf clubs in Philadelphia PA and then to Yale N Towne, PA, then to Kaiser Frazier in Penn and was chief of expediting . He later owned his owned and operated, R.L. Ausburn Trucking of Keys, New Jersey and later managed and owned his own trailer park in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. He moved back to Columbia, MO and drove a truck for 30 years until the age of 84 . After retiring he moved into Boone Landing in Columbia. There he lived like a king enjoying the people and watching sports, particularly golf. He was a true American Veteran that will be missed by all, may he rest in peace. He is survived by his son, Russell L. Ausburn, Jr. of Yardley PA and a daughter, Linda D. Cavanagh of Langhorne, PA, grandchildren, Dawn Marie Ausburn of Paoli, PA, Richard Cavanagh of Langhorne, PA and Russell L. Ausburn, III of Yarkley,PA, Tara Ausburn of Phoenix, AZ and one great grand daughter, Laura Burg. PA.