BLACKSBURG - Russell G. Douglas, 72, of 136 Wendy Drive, died unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at Upstate Carolina Medical Center.

Son of the late Olin W. and Mary Powers Douglas and widower of Mary Cornett Douglas and Dorothy Kizziah Douglas,

he served in the

U.S. Army for 20

years, serving in the Korean and Vietnam war. He was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are sons, Clarence Douglas of Kansas, Neil Douglas of Anniston, Ala., Billy Douglas of Washington State, John Douglas of the home and Larry Stroup of the home; daughters, Diane Dove of California, Carl Ann Stacy and Pam Wells, both of the home; brothers, Olin Powers of Sunshine, N.C., and John Franklin Brockington of Taylorsville, N.C.; sisters, Winona Pearson of Hemingway, Retha Hinnman of Goose Creek, Willa Lee Taylor of Anderson and Connie Gertrude Bell of Cherokee Falls community of Blacksburg; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; aunts, uncles and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Kenny Stroup and Ricky Stroup, and a daughter, Mary Lou Douglas.

Graveside services with military honors will be held Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. at Clingman Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Lucky Earls.

The family will receive friends Monday, Oct. 20, from 3-5 p.m. at White Columns and at other times they will be at the home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of South Carolina, 1612 N. Limestone St., Gaffney, S.C. 29340.

Arrangements by White Columns.