Russell Lanphere

TUPELO - Russell C. Lanphere, 88, died Saturday, July 11, 2009, at The Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo after a brief illness. He was born Dec. 7, 1920, to Paul Lanphere and Myrtle Dugard Lanphere in Tuscaloosa, Ala., but had lived most of his life in the Tupelo area. He was a retired employee of Mississippi Valley Gas Company, now known as ATMOS Energy in Tupelo with 33 years of faithful service. He was a member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church. He loved playing golf, fishing, hunting and was a very avid sports fan, especially the Atlanta Braves, no matter if they were winning or losing. He was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Navy and obtained the rank of Second Class Petty Officer. He was a part of the World War II Air Wing Two South Pacific. He helped flag airplanes as they departed and landed, entertained forces on the Island of Oahu and played baseball with the Naval Baseball Teams, where mostly Major League ball players were playing. He continued to play semi-pro baseball into his mid 40's.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors with Rev. Donny Riley, Rev. Glen Wiygul, and Rev. Danny Dabbs officiating. A private burial will be in the Lee Memorial Park in Verona with Military Honors.

Survivors include one daughter, Helen Wade (John) of Tupelo; three sons, Lindsey Lanphere (Ann) of Mooreville, Paul Wren Lanphere (Kim) of Saltillo and Rusty Lanphere (Tracie) of Tupelo; one sister, Mary Alice Stanley of Saltillo; one brother, Doug Lanphere (Lelia) of Saltillo; one sister-in-law, Jewel Lanphere of Saltillo; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Jewel Lanphere, who died January 19, 2002; his parents; one sister-in-law, Sarah Chase; three brothers, Jake Lanphere, Paul Lanphere Jr. and William "Pud" Lanphere.

Pallbearers will be John Lee, Scottie Cook, Chip Ferguson, Brad Lanphere, Jordan Stewart, Bob Griggs, Chase Griggs, Brett Lanphere and Ty Lanphere.

Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy Long, his Sunday School class at Oak Hill United Methodist Church, his golfing buddies and Jimmy McNutt, Don Herrington and Jerry McGee.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to The Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38801.