Jack Russell

Jack W. "Pug" Russell, 80, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 3, 1922, at Fruitland, son of Richard "Dick" and Carrie Shaner Russell. He was a member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church.

He graduated from Desloge High School in 1940 and Southeast Missouri State College in 1944. He was an outstanding athlete, a member of the 1943 Southeast Missouri State College basketball team that won the NAIB National Championship, and was named to the All-American team.

Pug began his teaching and coaching career in 1945 at Desloge and then moved to Union and Normandy before returning to Cape Girardeau. He first taught at Franklin School, then Schultz, and finally Central High School, where he coached and taught physical education and driver's education. A large number of people driving the streets of Cape today fondly remember the "Coach" as their teacher. He retired in 1992 after a 47-year career.

Survivors include two nephews, Jim Russell of Springfield, Mo., and Bob Russell of Cape Girardeau; and five nieces, Saundra Johnson of Sikeston, Mo., Patti Garrison of Jackson, Joan Gribble, Martha Eaker and Mary Thompson, all of Cape Girardeau.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford & Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girar-deau. Pallbearers will be Mark Ellison, Terry Kitchen, Paul Stehr, Jack Behrens, Doug Berry and Weldon Hager.