Russell Charles, Jr.

Russell Charles Jr. was the second of five children born to the late Russell Sr. and Josephine Charles, on November 19, 1941 in Harlem, New York.

Russell attended 22 Elementary School and Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. Upon graduating from high school, he pursued computer technology at Pace University in New York and Bloomfield College in New Jersey.

He was drafted into the US Army in 1962 and served his country in the Vietnam War.  Russell was honorably discharged in 1964.  Upon returning from the military, he was joined in matrimony to his high school sweetheart, Mary Crawford. Out of this union yielded two beautiful daughters, Jodi Lynn and Kelly Felice.

Russell was reared in a loving Christian home and was nurtured by God-fearing parents. Along with his siblings, Josephine, Richmond, Geraldine and Daryle, he was given a strong spiritual foundation.  This foundation was further developed at Claremont Lafayette Presbyterian Church in Jersey City, New Jersey.  Russell extended his Christian experience at Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, New Jersey and then later at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey where he enjoyed attending the Senior Fellowship.

Russell was an avid tennis player and competed in a corporate league at Forest Hills Tennis Club. He loved jazz and was an ardent fan of classical jazz. You could often find him sitting in the living room on a Saturday afternoon listening to those famous tunes.

He was a dedicated worker and spent many years in companies including Hess Corporation, Sun Data Recovery and Johnson & Johnson. He was popular and well respected among his colleagues.

Russell was a Christian man who demonstrated his love of God through his acts of service to many. There is nothing that Russell loved more than his family, and nothing he took more pride in than being a loving and attentive father and husband. Extended family was also important to Russell as he always enjoyed traveling to special family events.

Russell passed away peacefully on October 24, 2023, at the age of 81.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Richmond “Butch” Charles and his sister, Drucilla Nunery. 

Russell leaves a legacy of memories to his loving, devoted family: wife, Mary Charles; daughters, Jodi Barnes (Phillip) and Kelly Charles; sisters, Josephine Tucker, Geraldine Goss (Loney); brother, Daryle Charles (Sheila); sister-in-love, Francine Charles; special family, Dave Fields and Holly Fields, grandsons, Malcolm and Martin Fields; and nephews, Kyle Tucker (Sheryl) and Kevin Tucker (Cleyvis); niece, Brianne McAdams (Dawan) and other loving relatives and friends.

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