SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8

(By Senators Takubo, Phillips, Unger, Stollings, and Maynard)

[Introduced February 23, 2021]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 20-077/00-081.90 (20A679), locally known as Dry Branch, carrying S 77 over Dry Branch and WV 79/1 in Kanawha County, the “Fire Chief Kenneth Junior Russell Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Kenneth Junior Russell was born in Marting, West Virginia, on October 19, 1944, the son of Elijah Thomas Russell and Monnie Ethel Russell. He was a proud retired coal miner from Carbon Fuel Coal Company where he was a continuous miner at the No. 9 mine; and

Whereas, Kenneth Junior Russell was a charter member of the Cabin Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Eskdale, West Virginia, where he joined on July 30, 1970, and served for 38 years, 30 years of which were as chief, eight years as President of the Cabin Creek Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors. His significant contributions have been profound to the fire-rescue profession, the organization, and most importantly, the communities of which he so proudly served over his longstanding public service career; and

Whereas, Kenneth Junior Russell’s stellar leadership, devotion to duty, and his dedication to fellow emergency workers have always been value-driven through a high sense of integrity, commitment, and compassion. Concerned about providing needed water for the Cabin Creek area, Fire Chief Kenneth Junior Russell, along with members of the Cabin Creek Volunteer Fire Department, worked with West Virginia American Water to provide Cabin Creek residents much needed safe and potable water, and increased fire protection for the Cabin Creek area.  Kenneth Junior Russell was presented the Distinguished Mountaineer Award in 2010 by Governor Joe Manchin III; and

Whereas, Kenneth Junior Russell married the love of his life, Linda Joyce Castle in 1962, and the two were married for 34 years. Kenneth Junior Russell passed away on August 27, 2020.  He is survived by his daughter, Monnie Kay Russell; daughter in law Tracy Castle; grandson Travis L. Castle and wife Christine; granddaughter Crystal Castle, great-grandson Oscar “Tootie” Castle; brother Frank Russell; brother Glen Russell; sister Dorothy Cockernham and husband Steve; sister Wanda Wood and a plethora of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Joyce Russell, son Walter Lee Castle, daughter Cinda Russell, father Elijah Thomas Russell, mother Monnie Ethel Russel, and sister Carol Gay; and

Whereas, The Cabin Creek community mourn the loss of their founding chief who served to protect his fellow man and advance the common good, and sympathy on their behalf is extended to his family, loved ones, to his many friends, to members of the Cabin Creek Volunteer Fire Department family with whom he served faithfully and honorably, and to all those who knew and loved him; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Fire Chief Kenneth Junior Russell and his contributions to our state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 20-077/00-081.90 (20A679), locally known as Dry Branch, carrying S 77 over Dry Branch and WV 79/1 in Kanawha County, the “Fire Chief Kenneth Junior Russell Memorial Bridge’; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “Fire Chief Kenneth Junior Russell Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the Division of Highways.