Russell Gullett

Russell Ray Gullett, 89, of Albuquerque, NM, formerly of La Plata, MD, died August 8, 2009, in New Mexico. Mr. Gullett grew up in Marion and Downer’s Grove, IL. He attended Illinois Teacher’s College (now McKendree University). He moved to Washington, DC about 1939 and worked for the Postal Telegraph in Washington, DC. Was on duty December 6, 1941, the night before the attack on Pearl Harbor. There were many coded telegrams to and from the Japanese Embassy that night. Russ met Millie (Mildred Florence Swan) while working at the Postal Telegraph. There were introduced by Millie’s cousin Benny, a co-worker of Russ’. They were married in 1942 in Christ Church, La Plata, and remained married 62 years when Millie preceded Russ in death on June 23, 2003. They lived all their married life in Charles County, MD. The last 50 years at 402 Harford Street, La Plata, except for a short time when Russ was on active duty with the Army Air Corp. Russell was a member of the Army Air Corp. During World War II and the Air National Guard in the early 1950's when he spent some time in Germany. He belonged to the St. Columba Lodge #150 in La Plata. Beginning his Masonic Career on January 16, 1951, becoming a Master Mason on April 5, 1951. He was a Master of the Lodge in 1957. Russell was a member of the American Legion Post #0082 Harry White Wilmer Post in La Plata. He was a member of the U.S. Chess Federation. He held an FAA Pilot’s License and a local preacher’s license in IL. He operated the Rt. 301 Amoco Station in La Plata for many years and Earl’s Truck Stop in Bel Alton, MD. He enjoyed listening to classical music, reading, especially poetry, Dickens and Shakespear, playing chess and cards. Russ died quietly at the home of a friend after a bout of pneumonia. His daughter was at his bedside. Born December 27, 1919, in Creal Springs, IL, he was the son of the late Curtis Gullett and the late Effie Jennings Gullett. Predeceased by his parents; wife of 62 years, Mildred Florence Swan Gullett. Survived by his beloved companion, Eve Angelus, of Albuquerque, NM; son, Russell R. Gullett, Jr. and his wife Donna of Littleton, CO; daughter, Violet F. Gullett of Glendale, CA. Also survived by two grandchildren, Kris and her husband Dominic Zaccarelli of La Plata, MD; Jym and his wife Carey Gullett, of Elizabeth, AL; Great Grandchildren, Carolyn, Tony and Rachel Zaccarelli; Isabell and James Gullett; one Great Great Grandchild, Naomi Rose; cousin, Thelma Brown of Bardstown, KY; nephew, Russell and his wife Julie Thomas Swan of La Plata, MD; nieces, Mary Ann and her husband Scotty Boteler of Bel Alton, MD; Peggy and her husband J.R. Smullen of Parrish, FL; and many more members of the Swan and Barbour families. Visitation will be Monday, September 14, 2009, 5:00 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, La Plata, MD, with a Masons Lodge of St. Columba service at 5:15 p.m. Funeral Service will be Monday, September 14, 2009, 5:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, La Plata, MD. Rev. Trigg will officiate. Interment will be at Mt. Rest Cemetery, La Plata, MD.

Russell Gullett

December 27, 1919 - August 8, 2009