1943
Bud
2024
Joy "Bud" E. Russell
February 9, 1943 — April 2, 2024
Davison
Russell, Joy Erwin "Bud" - Age 81, of Davison, died April 2, 2024, two weeks shy of his 50th wedding anniversary. Interment will be held 12:30 PM Thursday, April 11 at Great Lakes National Cemetery 4200 N. Belford Rd. Holly. Those desiring may make contributions to Davison VFW Post 4087, Wounded Warriors or Alzheimer's Association. Bud was born February 9, 1943, in Flint, the son of Clinton and Maxine (Jones) Russell. He married Joyce Ann Fittante on April 19, 1974. Bud was a 1961 graduate of Kearsley High School, Go Hornets! Over the years Bud built two of his family's homes and a cabin up north. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp during Vietnam. During his tour, he was featured in Life Magazine, loading a wounded soldier into a medic chopper. He also was shot in the back, but thankfully, the bullet hit the teletype machine loaded on his back. Upon returning from active duty with an honorable discharge, he taught advanced math at Mott Community College. He then worked at General Motors for 36 years at AC Spark Plug which later became Delphi as a skilled trades tool and die maker. He was a proud member of UAW Local 651 and spent several hours out on the picket line. Bud was always bragging about his wife and children to anyone willing to listen. After retirement, Bud promptly set up a workshop in his barn with the same machinery he had operated at General Motors, and went to work helping make anything his friends, family or neighbors needed. He made earrings for his wife and daughter, fishing lures for his son and was always busy making parts for P & H Plumbing. There was nothing he couldnt make from kites, corn holders and mouse traps to deer blinds and the best pumpkin pies around. Bud was a very active member of the Flint Corvette Club and volunteered much of his time with Back to the Bricks, making car trophies mounted on bricks. He was a talented airbrush artist and could replicate almost any image. Bud enjoyed visiting with his friends at B & J's Supreme Donuts, until COVID made that impossible. He also was an avid outdoors man and enjoyed hunting, fishing and farming his land. Over the years he raised chickens, grew vegetables, fruits, and harvested seasonal decorations like gourds and indian corn. He enjoyed taking care of and providing for his family, filling the freezers and pantries with food he planted and harvested. Bud volunteered as a little league baseball coach for his sons team at the Davison VFW and held the record at the local Red Cross for being the top blood donor, over 200 units! He also enjoyed the time he spent bowling and golfing over the years, until they caused his blood pressure to rise! Bud was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers and he never missed an opportunity to donate to The Old Newsboys. The family would like to thank and acknowledge neighbors Dave Condon and Lou Gettings, friends Gary Drago, Ron Fraim, bee keeper John Peterson, Cathy Gentry at Sloan Museum, Steve Barret and Lyle Hippensteel, special family member that was also a close friend Denny Isaac, airbrush instructor Brian Ashley, RN Chris, music therapist Kaitlen and everyone at The Medical Team Hospice Care, The Ridge of Goodrich for their amazing care and kindness and Sharp Funeral Homes. Surviving to cherish his memory are: his bride of 49 years 11 months and 2 weeks, Joyce Ann; children, Heather Burnash and Judson Russell; grandchildren, Sydney Burnash, Olivia Burnash, Joseph Russell, and Ally Russell; sibling, Kathy Reed; many friends, dozens of nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law and last but not least, the other woman in his life...his beautifully restored trophy blue 1966 Corvette. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sue Tucker. Arrangements entrusted to Sharp Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48507. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Committal Service
Thursday, April 11, 2024
12:30 - 1:00 pm (Eastern time)
Great Lakes National Cemetery
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