Donald Hurest Russell

Donald Hurest Russell, 88, of Asheville, died after a brief illness Friday, August 1, 2008 at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Russell was born January 8, 1920 in Swain County North Carolina near the village of Alarka and was the son of the late Baxter LaFayette Russell and Annie Mae Gunter Russell. He was preceded in death by Marian Elizabeth Grimes Russell, his wife of 63 years. A graduate of Sand Hill High School, Mr. Russell spent most of his working years in the grocery business in Asheville. However, during World War II he was employed as a welding foreman by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia and later at North Carolina Shipbuilding Company in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Liberty Ships built at these two facilities were invaluable in helping the war effort and assuring ultimate victory. Mr. Russell also served in the U. S. Navy from 1945 to 1946. From 1946 to 1948, after his discharge from naval duty, Mr. Russell partnered with the Giezentanner brothers in several grocery store ventures – including Don's Grocery on Valley Street. From 1948 to 1985, Mr. Russell was owner and operator of the Friendly Grocery located at 503 Haywood Road in West Asheville. His combination grocery store and delicatessen was the well known throughout the local community as well as Western North Carolina for its "King of the Road" sandwich – a truly man sized meal. Following his retirement in 1985, Mr. Russell stayed in touch with the business community while managing his commercial and residential rental properties. And most of all, he enjoyed writing poetry, hiking, fishing and visiting with friends and family. Mr. Russell was a member and former deacon of the West Asheville Baptist Church. He is survived by his son, Dennis E. Russell and his wife Judy Chandler Russell; and a grandson, Jonathan Alan Russell and his wife Amy Michelle Russell, of St. Petersburg, Florida. His family will receive friends at Groce Funeral Home at 1401 Patton Avenue from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday followed by a funeral at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will be at Pisgah View Memorial Park in Candler. The Rev. David Tucker will officiate. Memorials may be made to West Asheville Baptist Church, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.