Cover photo for Russell McLain's Obituary
Russell McLain Profile Photo
1921 Russell 2013

Russell McLain

October 12, 1921 — January 7, 2013

Russell McLain, age 91, of Bonnerdale, passed away on Monday, January 7, 2013. He was born on October 12, 1921, in Texarkana, Arkansas, the son of William E. McLain and Jennie McLain. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret Jane McDaniel McLain; two sons, James R. McLain and Dennis Ray McLain; and three sisters, Willie Mae Lange, Mary Russell and Josephine Carlton. In 1939, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in France and Germany during World War II and was commissioned to a second lieutenant based on war time services. Among his many service medals, his awards include the Army of Occupation of Germany medal with five battle stars, for the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, the Remagen Bridgehead and the French Croix De Guerre with bronze star; the Soldier's Medal for acts in China and the Army Commendation Medal. After the war he served in China and Japan and was reassigned to Germany, where he received his second lieutenant's commission and was assigned to the Big Red One Infantry Division Artillery. He retired from the Army at the rank of Captain after serving twenty-one years. Upon his return to civilian life, he managed poultry farms and egg processing plants in Southwest Arkansas. He also went into electrical work and obtained a Master Electrician's license. For many years he was a member of the Marlbrook Baptist Church in Blevins and after moving to Bonnerdale he became a member of the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. He had a great passion for animals, working in his yard and visiting with people. His greatest love was his family, who will all dearly miss him. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and Lewis Diggs of Bonnerdale; one sister and brother-in-law, Ruby L. and John Johnson of Hope; three grandsons, Bradley L. Diggs of Bonnerdale, James R. McLain of Spring Hill, Tennessee and Jeffery Craig McLain of Bryant; and one great-grandson. Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 12, 2013, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Glenwood with Bro. Jerry Hill officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Interment with military honors will be at the Howton Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Pallbearers will be Dale Diggs, Matt Diggs, Donis Smead, Terry Diggs, Dale Hamilton and Doyce Robbins. Honorary pallbearers will be Bradley Diggs, James Russell McLain and Jeffery Craig McLain. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Garland County, P.O. Box 1484, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71902. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, January 11, 2013

6:00 - 6:00 pm

Davis-Smith Funeral Home - Glenwood

209 N 3rd St, Glenwood, AR 71943

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Service

Saturday, January 12, 2013

10:00 - 10:00 am

Jones Cemetery

, Amity, AR 71921

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Cemetery

Immediately Following The Services

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Guestbook

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