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Russell A. Colon
Born: 4/29/1925
Died: 3/4/2016
Age: 90
Community: Grand Blanc, MI
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COLOB, RUSSELL A. - Age 90, of Grand Blanc, passed away peacefully at his home of 53 years on Friday, March 4, 2016. He was born in Lima, Ohio, to Russel Colon and Margaret (Soloman) Hodges. At age 17, he left high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps to protect his country in World War II. As an aerial gunner and “Son of Neptune,” he was stationed on the islands of Roi and Namur in the South Pacific, which were bombed heavily during his enlistment. After serving his country for three years, he was honorably discharged in 1945. Not long after, he met the love of his life, Wanda Sugar, at the Genesee Club where she and her sisters often enjoyed polka music and dancing. They were married on May 24, 1947, and for the next 69 years, they were seldom apart. After attending Deforest Training School in Chicago, Russell and Wanda returned to Flint to start their family. Russell joined General Motors / AC and spent the rest of his career there, retiring in 1983. He moved the family to Grand Blanc in 1963, where he and Wanda would raise their two children and live happily for the next 53 years. Retiring at age 58 allowed Russell the opportunity to explore many hobbies, from woodworking to stained glass. But when he saw his first computer, he dropped all other hobbies and became the family computer expert. His first computer was a TI-99 before he moved into the world of IBM and many, many bootleg copies of Microsoft Office. He dialed into the internet (BBS) long before it had a name, refilled ink cartridges before they made refill kits, and played solitaire on his iPad while people were still reading Readers Digest at the doctor’s office.
Though he loved computers, he loved his family and friends more. He was known for his original limericks and sometimes not-so-clean jokes, always intended to get a laugh or make someone smile. Indeed, Russell cherished his relationships with people, and he was happiest when making others happy. In his last days, he repeatedly expressed how fortunate he was to have such a wonderful family. Spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, not to mention neighbors and other near-family members truly made his life. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Wanda, his daughter Patricia (Bruce) Beebe, grandchildren, James (Emily) Colon, Andrea (Greg) Welch, Brian Beebe, Joseph (Natalie Jackson) Colon, and Jonathan Colon; great grandchildren, Ella, Madeleine, Lucas, Anna, and Vivian. Russell was preceded in death by his son and best buddy Richard Colon. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 7, at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Monsignor Jerry Vincke officiating, followed by interment at the New Calvary Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 11 a.m. until the service begins at 1 p.m. Your condolences may be shared with the family at www.swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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3/7/2016 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
| A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 7, at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Monsignor Jerry Vincke officiating, followed by interment at the New Calvary Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 11 a.m. until the service begins at 1 p.m. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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3/7/2016 |
| Time: |
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1:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Swartz Funeral Home & Cremation Center
1225 West Hill Road
Flint, MI 48507Get a Map to this location...
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