Clinton C. Russ was born Aug. 14, 1931, and died Oct. 17, 2024, after declining health, and a recent fall related to a brief bout with pneumonia.  He passed away the early morning of Thursday, Oct. 17,  in the palliative care unit at Carilion Roanoke MemorialHospital. 

His memorial service will be conducted by Dr. Ron Gravatt in the Chapel at the Bolling, Grose and Lotts Funeral Home at 2160 E. Midland Trail in Buena Vista on Oct. 25, 2024, at 11 a.m., with visitation opportunity available prior to the service.   Interment will immediately follow at Rockbridge Memorial Gardens. 

Clinton Calvin Russ was born to Horace A. Russ (1896-1969) and Margaret E. Hartless Russ (1904-1992). He was the youngest of four children and was predeceased by the older siblings, Freeman C. Russ, Sr. (1926-2009), Horace E. (Buck) Russ (1922-2006) and Odessa E. Russ Milburn (1928-2019). He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Juanita Margaret Davis Russ, formerly of Waynesboro. They have one son, Kurt C. Russ who resides at Fruit Hill in Rockbridge County.

Having served in ‒ and been honorably discharged from ‒ the United States Navy, Clinton landed upon many foreign shores, the most memorable being Cuba.  During his US Navy tenure he both served as Master-at-Arms and learned the barbering trade while aboard the USS NORFOLK.  He pursued a long-lived career as a barber beginning as an associate of Herman Decker’s shop in Buena Vista, and eventually establishing Russ’s Hairstyling there.   The family warmly recalls many comments from local residents remembering that their first haircut was received from Clinton.

Being a lifelong resident of Buena Vista, Clinton loved the town, the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains that surrounded it, the Maury River that flowed through it, and most of all the folks who resided there including the four old grouches identified some time ago by John Dickinson!

Mr. Russ was the oldest living member of the local branch of the American Legion, a member of the Buena Vista Baptist Church, and the National Rifle Association.  While living in what he often referred to as “God’s Country,” he enjoyed archery, weight lifting, good food, live music and Glen Maury Park.

Arrangements are being handled by Bolling, Grose, & Lotts Funeral Home and Cremation Services.