Crue Gene Russell, 81, passed away August 11, 2011 at home surrounded by his family. He had Stage 4 Melanoma. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Magdalena Eitzenhofer Russell; daughters: Theresa (Randy) Rucker of Olive Branch; Bobbie (David) Whittington of Olive Branch; and Polly (Paul K.) Jarvis of Memphis. He leaves 9 grandchildren: David (Kimmie) Whittington, Sarah (Gary) Barker, Wendy (Brian) Hale, Mark (Jessica) Whittington, Jessica (Jacob) Schwegel, Maggie Meador, Nathan (Anna) Rucker, Melanie Rucker, and Abigail Rucker. He also leaves 10 great-grandchildren: Aaron, E.J., Micah, Haven, Stone, Kyle, Lexie, Finley, Elijah and Lucy Kate. He was lovingly called "Opa" by family and "Sarge" by his friends. Crue began his life on January 16, 1930, born to Irenus and Pallie Blanche Russell in Ablemarle, NC. He leaves his sister, Juanita (Harold) Palmer. Crue joined the US Army at age 18 and soon found himself in Mainaschaff, Germany where he met the love of his life, Magda. They married in April 1955 and enjoyed military life for 20 years making numerous life-long friends along the way. They were also stationed in Ft. Polk, LA and Maryville, TN. He fell in love with the Memphis area while stationed here as a ROTC instructor at Southside High School from 1963-66. After retiring in 1968 he was employed by Mapco Refinery until that retirement in 1992. They lived many years at Snow Lake Shores, MS before moving to Olive Branch in 2008. Crue was active in the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Al Chymia Shrine, Southaven Moose Lodge, the Grotto and the Band of Brothers. He also drove for the Shrine Burn Center. He was active for many years at Andrews United Methodist in Whitehaven and currently attended Great Commission Church in Olive Branch. He leaves a legacy of someone who loved his family and friends. He was very loved and will be greatly missed but we have the hope of seeing him again in heaven! Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2011 from 5 to 7 p.m. Service will be Thursday, August 18 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital . Forest Hill South Chapel. 901-346-3250.