David H. Russell

David H. Russell, age 77, of Evansville, IN, passed away at 6:12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Linda E. White Hospice House.

David was born June 3, 1944, in Madisonville, KY, to the late Jeffrey H. and Ruth (Anderson) Russell. He attended Bosse High School and his love for Christ led him to graduate from Seminary School. David was an ordained Baptist Minister, and was a was a lifelong member of Vann Avenue Baptist Church. He was the owner and founder of Shoe Carnival. David worked as a shoe salesman for Kinney Shoes for a number of years before venturing on his own with wife, Kathy Russell, and creating what is now known as Shoe Carnival. His dream of taking the company public was realized, and he retired in 1997. David loved his family and children without measure. He enjoyed the Gulf Coast and made Destin, FL, a second home. David enjoyed making people laugh and loved to hustle a game of pool. He loved his community and gave back to it in many philanthropic ways. He felt blessed to help make other people’s lives better. He was highly respected in the shoe industry and even achieved Entrepreneur of the Year in Indiana which put him on the cover of Inc Magazine. David loved music from the 50s and 60s which he always had playing in the stores. He will be dearly missed by his children, family, and friends.

David is survived by his children, Nina Noble (Frankie) of Newburgh, IN, Christian Russell (Chris) of Newburgh, IN, Kelly Shelton (Kathy) of Denver, CO, Chase Russell (Justin) of Destin, FL, Blake Brittney Russell of Denver, CO, and Lake Russell (Molly) of Evansville, IN; sister, Carole Shull; 14 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville. A Live Stream will be available beginning twenty minutes prior to the service time. Please visit www.boonefuneralhome.net, select your loved one’s obituary, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Live Stream. Burial will be Private.

Friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until service time, Saturday, September 11, 2021, at BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Linda E. White Hospice House at 611 Harriet Street, Evansville, IN 47710.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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