David F. Russell, age 88

David F. Russell, age 88, of Bentonville, Arkansas, died on April 10, 2024, peacefully and surrounded by loved ones. David was born on November 30, 1935 in Washington, DC, the son of Thomas Frederick Russell and Marjorie Lane Russell.

David attended high school at Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee where he was an All-American swimmer. David studied Engineering at Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati before beginning a career in Information Technology, specifically main frame computing in Chicago Illinois, and later for Crafton & Tull in Rogers, Arkansas. David later started a Management Consulting practice, Leadership Dynamics. David was a mentor and child advocate for two boys through the organization CASA of Northwest Arkansas. He had a heart and mind to help others succeed and was always full of great advice and wisdom. David continued his athletic training by running dozens of marathons in the 1980’s all over the country. In his later years, he enjoyed hiking the trails of Crystal Bridges or running 5K’s as well as swimming. He most recently ran a 5K on his 87th birthday.

David was married to his first wife Synthia in 1957, and they had three children. David and Sindy began collecting antique American bottles and were founding members of the 1st Chicago Bottle Club, which is still in existence today. Later, David married Judy Ann Reiter on July 23, 1997. David and Judy Ann were married 24 years when Judy Ann passed away in May of 2021. Together they purchased a 100-year-old home in Bentonville, Arkansas and began renovating and making it their own. They filled their home with art and collectibles from their travels, antiquing or attending local galleries and exhibitions. They loved Bentonville and participated in all the Arts and other cultural activities offered there. David loved doing puzzles and reading the Arkansas Gazette, gardening, visiting with locals and tourists on the town square in Bentonville and supporting the arts at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary.

David leaves behind three children, nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren. Son Michael (Sharon) Russell of Nashville, Tennessee with granddaughter Christina (Charlie) Baldwin, great granddaughters Margaret and Sarah, granddaughter Allie (Matt) Cooper and great grandsons Daniel and James. Daughter Laura (Joe) Partain of Houston, Texas with granddaughter Jamie, grandson Adrian (Elida) Partain and great grandchildren Jade, Macy and Ethan, grandson Banner Partain with great grandson Noah, and great grandsons Tyler Christian and Benjamin. Daughter Patti (John) Veasman of Cabot, Arkansas, granddaughter Taylor (David) Johnson with great grandchildren Paxton, Erik, and Penny, and granddaughter Madelyn Bryce Veasman and grandsons Johnny and Anthony Veasman. David also leaves behind Carl Reiter of Anderson, Missouri, and Victoria Reiter and Hunter Holm of Bentonville, Arkansas.

David is preceded in death by his parents Thomas F. Russell and Marjorie Lane Russell, his sister Ann Axline, grandparents Joseph W. Lane and Isabel Rae Lane of Georgetown, Maine.

David’s ashes will be interned with his mother and grandparents in Maple Grove Cemetery in Bath, Maine. David will be remembered for the heart he shared with his friends and family. When his time came, he carried himself with dignity, strength and full of love and kindness. He will be missed dearly, but we can be comforted that he is Home. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com