Larry Dale Russ

In the early morning hours of August 24, 2025, Larry Dale Russ passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family.

Larry was born on June 17, 1966 in Scotland County, North Carolina. Being an avid golfer, Larry often joked telling people he was born in Scotland, alluding to the birthplace of golf rather than the county in North Carolina. The family moved from Laurinburg to Lumberton and finally settled in Fairmont, their forever home.

After high school, Larry moved to the beach and worked for a period of time before returning home and starting a career in Emergency Services. First, as a dispatcher for Robeson and then Scotland Counties, and then returning to a patrol position with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. While there, he worked his way up to First Sergeant and served honorably for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2019.

Before retirement, Larry enjoyed being a Hunter Safety Educator with NC Wildlife Commission, a member of the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair, an Extension Master Gardener, and a volunteer with Robeson County 4-H. He joked that he joined 4-H to spend more time with his fiancé of 20 years, and ended up starting the shooting sports club and became the official “4-H Grill Master” serving up tasty meals for a variety of 4-H functions. He received numerous awards for his work in the community through NC Wildlife Resources and Robeson County 4-H.

In his retirement, you could find Larry on the links in multiple states working on his chipping and putting and especially enjoying playing in tournaments and shootouts with groups of friends he had made on the course. Whenever given the chance he especially enjoyed his time with his family on the golf course frequently playing with his nephew Chaz and brother Charlie and his father Charles whenever schedules would allow.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Charles Russ. He is survived by his fiancée, Shea Ann DeJarnette of Fairmont; his mother, Joyce Russ of Fairmont; his brother, Charles “Charlie” Russ, Jr (Teresa) of Marion, South Carolina; niece, Kayce White (Marcus) of Norfolk Virginia; nephew, Chaz Russ (Veronica) of Marion, South Carolina; his four legged sister, Charlee Sue and a host of cousins, friends, and incredible golf buddies.

A remembrance of life will be held Tuesday, August 26 at Bladen Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. A brief service will follow at 3 p.m. Burial will follow at the Bladen Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers Larry asked that donations be made to any of the following organizations:

-The Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation, 9000 Bay Hill Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32819.

-Robeson County 4-H, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton, NC 28360

-American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741

Almighty God, as we play through our 18 holes of life, we pray that you will give us a drive that's both long enough to reach our goals, and yet straight enough to keep us out of trouble. Help us avoid the traps and hazards of life... May we always play with honor"..