ECU Hall Of Famer Sonny Russell Passed Away
October 10, 2014 | General
East Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Sonny Russell lost his long fight against cancer and passed away peacefully at his home Monday, Oct. 6. He was 84.
A celebration of his life was held Thursday morning at St. James United Methodist Church in Greenville, which was followed by a graveside service at Greenleaf Memorial Park in New Bern.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sue Ann; sons, Glenn and wife Amy, Donald and wife Danielle along with daughter Patty and seven grandchildren.
Russell came to ECU in 1949 on a basketball scholarship. He was a four-year starter and is currently ranked third on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,653 points. An inaugural member of the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974, Russell's number 14 remains the only men's basketball number retired in school history. He was an all-state and all-conference player that led East Carolina College to the 1953 NAIA District 26 title and a trip to the national championship tournament in Kansas City.
A distinguished veteran, Russell served in the United State Army during the Korean War. After graduating for ECC, he taught and coached at New Ben High School. He coached the Bears to the 1966 state baseball championship and was a charter member of the New Bern High School Hall of Fame.
