MARK DAVID RUSSELL

  
MARK DAVID RUSSELL (Age 59)  
Of Olney, MD, passed away on April 22, 2016, after his battle with cancer. Mark and his family have resided in the DC area for 25 years, after moving with his wife from California in 1991. Calling Hours will be held 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday April 29 at Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Home, 7557 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday April 30 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 4200 Laytonsville Olney Road, (Rt. 108) Olney, MD. Mark was born at Naval Hospital Boston to William and June Russell on December 10, 1956. He married Cheryl Benedict on July 15, 1989 in Costa Mesa, CA. He graduated from University of Texas in 1982. He worked in his early years at Jet Propulsion Labs and TRW in California, where he met his wife Cheryl. After moving to Washington, DC, Mark worked at several software development companies before finding his home at QVine Corporation where he was one of their early employees, enjoying thirteen years with them. Mark was involved in Boy Scout Troop 264 where he was Troop Committee Chair and he accompanied them on many scout trips as well as all three high adventure expeditions. He was also an avid proponent of nature, as he backpacked many of our nations National Parks. Mark is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his daughter, Stephanie Connell and her husband, Ed; his son, Michael Russell; his mother, June Russell; his brothers, Scott and Gary Russell; his nieces and nephews, Allen and Lori Russell and Sarah and Alex Mankivsky; as well as many loving friends and extended family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troop 264 of Olney, MD, information on how to contribute provided upon request. Memorial contributions in honor of Mark may also be given to the National Park Foundation via www.nationalparks.org. The family of Mark wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all of their family and friends for their support as well as The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Michael Lim and his office and Dr. Stuart Grossman and his office. Please view and sign the family guestbook at: www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com