Obituary of Randy Russell

Randall Nelson Russell, born April 29, 1947 entered into eternal rest in the early morning hours of October 6, 2024. It is fitting that he transitioned on a Sunday. In John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. Peter responds that he does, and Jesus replies, “Feed my sheep”. In this, we know well the deep love that Randy had for Jesus because he dedicated his entire life to feeding the flock. Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Nels and Ann Russell, he was the oldest of five children. In eighth grade, Randy wrote his future life story for a school project. It is a testament to him and not a surprise to those who knew him that much of this plan eventually came true. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1969 with a BA in Business. While at the university, he came to faith in Jesus Christ and this guided the rest of his life. He moved to Florida in 1969 to join Cru as a staff member at the University of Miami from 1969-1971, where he met his beautiful Kathy Tate. In 1971, they married and moved to Denver, CO where he graduated from Denver Seminary in 1974. During his time in Denver, he helped start The Neighborhood Church of the Master. Shortly after seminary, he and Kathy moved to Atlanta, GA, where they started Christ Church. The nine years Randy and Kathy spent in church planting shaped their ministries. Fulfilling another lifelong dream, Randy became a father in 1976 and again in 1977,1979, 1980, and 1983. In 1980, he moved his family to Chapel Hill, NC, to serve as the Pastor of Ministries at Chapel Hill Bible Church, where he served faithfully and with honor. During his time at CHBC, he planted Chatham Community Church, supported the Hillsborough Community Church, was the drive and vision behind The Center for Christian Counseling, and was instrumental in starting Pregnancy Support Services. He supported his flock faithfully and was with them in their most pivotal life moments. He was a counselor in good times and bad, performing over 270 weddings, countless baptisms, and an untold number of funerals. After retirement, he continued participating in the lives of those in the church and staying active by reading voraciously, golfing, and visiting with others. While he was a father figure to many at the church, his greatest joy was in being a father to his five children. He was an active part of their lives, coaching on many of the youth sports teams his sons were on and cheering on his daughter at band performances.  We have many fond memories of him lumbering through the house, pretending to be a giant, with several of his children attached to his arms and legs.  A consummate punner, no one who knew Randy escaped without being treated to some corniness and his giant laugh. He was fondly known as The Big Cheese by many.  His children were blessed to see real servanthood in action in the way he loved and cherished Kathy. Always faithful, always humble, and always striving to show his love and the love of Jesus, Randy Russell was truly a giant of a man, and this world is the lesser for his passing. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Debbie Painter and Sue Bunting, his in-laws Charlie and Annie Lee Tate, sister-in-law Connie Perry, and his first grandson Patrick Elijah Russell. 

Surviving him are his wife, Kathy Tate Russell, and his children Susanna (Andy) Rogers, Peter (Amy), John Mark (Courtney), Michael (Lauren), and David Russell. He is also survived by nine beautiful grandchildren whom he delighted in, his brother Scott (Rosie) Russell and his sister Laurel Russell Jeka, and many treasured in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be at Chapel Hill Bible Church on October 19, 2024, at 3 PM. The family wishes to thank countless friends and church members for their love and support these past few years. What a gift you have all been to us. A special thank you to Randy’s men's group, who were a constant support to both him and us over the past 50 years.