Russell A. SPALDING Jr.

1929 - 2016

SPALDING, Jr., Russell A. Russell A. Spalding, Jr. (Russ), age 87, died on July 23rd, 2016, after a fairly brief illness. Russ was born on May 16, 1929 in Hartford, CT to Russell A. Spalding and Madeleine Rourke Spalding. His family moved to Yonkers, NY where Russ attended public schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947. He then graduated from the University of Wyoming, where he majored in Journalism. Following college graduation, Russ was employed by American Airlines in New York City, where he met his future wife, Martha Croop. He later worked for Lufthansa in New York and, following his airline employment, Russ joined the Bell System, where he worked for 28 years, retiring in 1984. During his career, Russ worked for New England Telephone, AT&T, Bell South, AT&T again, in Boston, New York, Atlanta and Denver respectively. Russ was predeceased by his wife Martha in 2011 and is survived by two daughters who absolutely adored him, Ann and Lamar Cochran of Marietta, GA, Carol and Charlie Wakamo of Atlanta, GA and also three grandchildren, Connor Wakamo, of San Jose, CA, Amy (Lane) Wakamo of Atlanta and Brian Wakamo of Atlanta. Russ loved reading, watching sports on tv, especially college football (in particular, the Wyoming Cowboys) and tennis. He played tennis and was an ALTA doubles champion one year. After his Bell System retirement, he taught a senior defensive driving course for AARP. Russ was extremely witty, "Jeopardy smart", knew all his trivia and history and loved organizing files and things. Nothing was ever out of place. He will be loved and missed by his family forever. No visitation or services will be held locally. Russ will be cremated and he and his wife's remains will be buried in West Nanticoke, PA.