Charles Russell "Wizard" BRUMFIELD

BRUMFIELD, Charles Russell "Wizard"

55, passed away Oct. 16, 2015. A man of many creative talents, Russell lived a full and adventurous life, wearing many hats along the way. Best known as founder of Wizard Studios and its various branches, Russell took a small catering operation and turned it into a multifaceted Event Superstore, creating unforgettable events for a variety of clients big and small, both stateside and abroad. His lifelong strong work ethic helped him to rise up the corporate ladder, starting with such varied occupations as Wendy's manager and nightclub bouncer, on through a stint in the military and continuing into the world of catering which ultimately led him into high end event management. His creativity and "never say never" attitude led to great success for the Wizard companies and inspired many new enterprises as well. For over 2 decades the Wizard brand has represented imagination and quality for events in the Tampa Bay area, ranging from highly interactive island pirate parties to down home swamp hoedowns to Super Bowl victory celebrations. A talented writer, Russell authored many creative pieces, including the bestselling book WHIFF! The Revolution of Scent Communication in the Information Age, and many inspirational and educational writings for the I Am Power self-help organization he founded. As a student of life, Russell traveled extensively, making friends and business associates worldwide. Twice he walked the 500 mile Camino de Santiago (Road of St. James), a spiritual journey across Spain, and used his experiences to educate and enlighten. Whether riding camels in Egypt or exploring the Amazon by houseboat, Russell's thirst for knowledge and enlightenment led him around the world to such far flung places as Stonehenge, Machu Picchu and Sedona. As a mentor Russell helped many local entrepreneurs get their start, learning the Wizard way of excellence, while his philanthropic nature helped many local causes and charities. A voracious reader and lifelong student, Russell sought out the great mysteries of the Universe while using his garnered knowledge to help others find their own paths. Russell was a bigger than life character who will not soon be forgotten by the thousands of lives he touched. Beloved son of the late Charles Brumfield, Russell is survived by his mother, Patricia of St Augustine; sister, Sheila of St Augustine; brother, Shawn of Alaska and many other family members and friends. Words of comfort may be expressed at FloridaMortuary.com.