Col. Duane E. Russell

Duane Elliott Russell passed away in North Richland Hills on Thursday, July 16, 2015. Duane was born in 1923. He served in the United States Army and United States Air Force, starting in World War II until his retirement in 1974. While in the Army and the early Air Force, he served as a master sergeant, then as an officer, with ranks of flight officer through full colonel. Duane served as an infantryman, pilot and special intelligence officer. He earned several decorations and awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (Vietnam), several air medals, two presidential citations, four Air Force Outstanding awards, a V for valor during Vietnam, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm, and several others.
After retiring from the Air Force, he served and retired as a certified Texas high school teacher of history, government, economics and the Russian language. He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland and a master of arts from Ball State University, and several professional diplomas from the Air University and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Duane served as a professor at Ball State University, as well as the University of Alaska. Duane became a member of the United States Air Force Security Services Hall of Honor, inducted in 1991. His name is inscribed on the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington, D.C. He was affectionately known by his Air Force troops as "Colonel DER."
As a Master Mason for over 65 years, Duane was a member of Fort Industry Masonic Lodge in Toledo, Ohio, the Kaweah Masonic Lodge in Exeter, Calif., the M. Denton Stanford Lodge in Lorena where he served as Worshipful Master, and Richland Hills Masonic Lodge in Richland Hills. Duane served as Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Mart and Lorena. He was 32nd-degree Mason of the Scottish Rite. He was a life member of VFW Post 6008 in Hewitt, a member of The American Legion, and a volunteer at Providence Health Center in Waco for 11 years. He was a member of Youngblood Memorial Presbyterian Church in Robinson and St. Paul Presbyterian Church in North Richland Hills.
Duane was preceded in death by his father, David Edward Russell, and mother, Mildred Mae Russell, of New Port Richey, Fla.; younger brother, John Sanders Russell of Weatherford; and eldest son, retired USAF Senior Master Sgt. Duane Elliott Russell II of San Antonio. Survivors: Duane is survived by his wife, Norma; son, Dana Edward Russell and wife, Karen, of San Antonio; sister-in-law, Wilma Russell of Coppell; stepsons David Stout and wife, Fran, of North Richland Hills and Ken Stout and wife, Terri, of Grapevine; grandchildren Melissa Allen, David Stout II, George Stout of North Richland Hills and Chris Culler of Grapevine; great-grandchildren Madison Taylor and Camden Jeremy Allen of North Richland Hills; niece, Laura Martin; and nephew, Eric Russell.