EASTABOGA, Ala. — Lt. Col. (retired) John Russell “Russ” Currey passed away Feb. 14, 2016. He was 78.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda; his son, Jonathan; his daughter, Ashley; brother, George Currey; and sisters, Francis Schaffer and Cynthia Launhardt; stepson, Bob Cupp Jr.; stepdaughter, Caren Cupp; and stepdaughter Laura Cupp and 11 grandchildren.

Russ was born in Vicksburg on Jan. 1938. He entered the United States Air Force Academy in 1956 and was a member of the second graduating class of the Academy. His USAFA time was eventful, as he was on the Honor Committee and served as commander of the 8th Squadron during first half of his First Class year.

Russ flew the C-130A, B, and H (more than 4000 hours), mostly during the Vietnam war in the 60s, with three tours in SEA. After SEA he went to AFIT, earning his masters in systems analysis. He stayed on at Wright-Patterson working on computer systems upgrades at the Log Command. His son Jonathan and daughter Ashley were born there in 1970 and 1971 respectively.

In 1975 he was called back to the C-130 cockpit where he served as operation officer of the 62nd TAS and then as deputy commander of the 334th Training Group.  His final assignment was on the NATO staff in Virginia.

Russ also enjoyed coaching little league soccer and was involved with the Boy Scouts of America. After retiring from the USAF in 1983, he worked at Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach, Fla. and Computer Sciences Corporation in Huntsville, Ala.

After CSC, he and Glenda bought a farm in Eastaboga, Ala., and founded Currey Family Farms, raising beef cattle. While in Eastaboga, he also served as president of the Military Officers Association of America for several years and also taught the adult Sunday school class at Craig Memorial United Methodist Church.

The Funeral Service will be held at Craig Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 175 John Wills Avenue Eastaboga, Ala.

The family will receive friends Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, from 10 to 11a.m., and the service will begin at 11.

Mailing address for Craig Memorial UMC is: PO Box 86 Eastaboga, AL 36260. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Craig Memorial UMC c/o the Russ Currey Memorial Fund, which will be used for local missions.