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TOP PHOTO: Ned Russell circa 1990.
By Jim Freeman
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – It was 1968. La Follette was our playground. We walked, ran and even rode our bicycles all over town. We were best pals. Ned Russell and me.
When one of us was in trouble, the other most likely was as well. In 8th grade, Jimmy Chadwell was subbing for our science teacher Jimmy Heatherly at the old La Follette Junior High in town. Anytime there was a sub, Ned and I sat together making it a play day. Once everyone had taken their seats, Chadwell said the first order of business was for me to stay put and for Ned to go to the other side of the room. Our reputation wasn’t a secret; even to a first-time substitute teacher.
Ned died on Monday morning. That afternoon a young boy on a bike collided with a pick-up truck over on East Kentucky Avenue. I went to the scene of the wreck, and all I could think of was Ned and me, like this boy and the buddy he was riding with, riding up and down this very same street more than 50-years ago.
I don’t think I ever had any idea of just how many Ned Russell stories were floating around in my mind until this week. The day Ned set a small trash can on fire in Kindergarten, him asking me how to spell his first name, James, in first grade and going to many Tennessee football games together are just a few of those thoughts that bring a smile and most times a laugh.
The creek, closest to the cave, and the cave haven’t changed much since 1961 though the landscape around the La Follette House (Glen Oaks) has changed dramatically.
We used to dam up the creek beside the La Follette House, his grandparents home. The cave at the creek was where two six-year olds would smoke the cigarettes snuck from his dad CJ’s pack on a regular basis. I was able to quit smoking. Ned wasn’t.
Ned drew pencil sketches of trucks as far back as I can remember. Whether it was a Jimmy (GMC) as he would say or a Mack or Kenworth, his sketches were spot on. He could hear a truck pulling a grade and knew what brand it was. Ned didn’t read music but could hear a song and then bang it out on the piano.
For about half of high school, Ned attended, against his will, McCallie, a prep school at Chattanooga. At the end of September in 1972, we were going to the Tennessee-Auburn football game at Birmingham. I ran up to his dorm room at McCallie to tell him we were there, and he said that he was in trouble and the principal wasn’t going to let him leave campus. Instead of going to the car, we went to the office, and he pleaded his case. The principal let him go, but he paid for it the next weekend.
Left to right: David Stanfield, me, Ronnie Kinder, Ned and Dennis Deavours with Daniel “Hoss” Freeman in the hat. It was my 7th birthday party, the weekend President Kennedy was assassinated.
Ned grew up over on South 4th Street, second house over from East Central. One Saturday night we were on the hill in an area that’s still wooded next to Central. We had the bright idea of throwing rocks at cars. If we hit a car, usually it hit its brakes and then kept going. This one car we hit slammed on its brakes and made a hard right onto 4th Street. We ran to Ned’s house. His brother Mark asked why there were boys running run the yard. We had no idea. We also had no idea it was prom night at La Follette High School.
There were a few scrapes with the law along the way. Ned drove his Morris-Minor up the sidewalk from La Follette High School one day and ended up getting a ticket. Although he didn’t get caught driving that M-M backwards in town on another occasion. But about that ticket. Ned pulled a red wagon with a big jug full of pennies down to the police station on 1st Street to pay his fine. He was told that he’d have to count out all those pennies, and he responded that all the ticket said was that he had to pay the fine. Ned left the pennies and then left with the wagon.
Ned’s favorite color was black; black cars, cats, dogs and trucks. He always had clever names for his animals like the dogs named Trouble and Nuisance. He had a saying, fitting in most cases, “That guy is a self-appointed victim.”
There was a teacher in school that used to like to rough up Ned and me, mostly Ned. One fall, the teacher called C.J. to have kerosene delivered. It was October and cool nights had arrived. C.J. told him that he’d have to talk to Ned about that, because Ned handled the kerosene deliveries now. Ned finally gave in and delivered his kerosene up in November.
In the spring of our 8th grade year, we were riding bikes on a Friday night. As we came over the hill on Ash Street at 8th Street, a car topped the hill behind us. We tried to get out of the way, but Ned’s bike slid in a pile of gravels and he wrecked. The car stopped, a window rolled down, and a guy asked “skin your ass, buddy?” Then they drove off.
Second semester of freshman year, there was a student teacher in Paul Lynch’s Civics class. Mr. Lynch introduced Mr. Bob Green to the class. Mr. Green looked very familiar. When class was over, Ned and I stopped by the desk to say hello to Mr. Green. Then Ned asked, “Skin your ass, Mr. Green?”
It was April 11, 2017, when we caught up at Chris Arnold’s Big Creek Market. Me, Ned and childhood friend, David Wilson.
The last time I saw Ned was at Smith Hardware back in December. His fun personality was in high gear as he sang “Sherman, Sherman, Sherman” to store owner Sherman Campbell making light of Sherman as in Sherman Clump from the Nutty Professor. I was on the floor rolling up a 50-foot extension cord and Ned gets right there on the floor with me to help me roll up the cord.
When I saw the movie Stand by Me, nearly 35-years ago, I didn’t think a lot about the movie until the very end. It was when one of the four 12-year old boys, now in their 30s, was killed. One of the boys, at age 38, wrote about his friend who’d been killed; “Although I hadn’t seen him in more than ten years, I know I’ll miss him forever. I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?” As soon as I heard those lines, I thought of Ned.
The world was so much more fun with you in it, pal. Thanks for the memories.
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/15/2020-6AM)
Thank you, Jim, for giving us all a glimpse back into a more innocent time. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Ned, I feel like I know him after your heartfelt words and memories seemed to capture who he was so eloquently even revealing his humor. Just recently, I discovered that Ned and I were distant cousins so I earnestly thank you for sharing the memories.
Thank you Jim. I met Ned thought Peoples Bank as one of my favorite customers. We became good friends. I don’t have stories to share, but I do know this man was a kind, funny all around great guy. Always willing to help anyone in need. I can see a big smile in his face in heaven reuniting with his daughter. So like you said here at the bank…say GOODBYE NED..and we all said GOODBYE NED…I will miss you Ned Russell. R.I.P. Love ya!
This story about growing up with Ned just made my heart smile ! Growing up with my brothers and sisters , and remembering you and your family as we played on many of those streets brings back wonderful memories that we will forever hold in our hearts. This is an awesome tribute to Ned and you just have to believe that he is Now Smiling too ! Thank you James for sharing .
I really enjoyed these stories Ned was so funny thanks for sharing will be sadly missed
I enjoyed your story so much. Brought memories back of the Russell family. Ned & my nephew, Tim Hill, were also friends.Tim passed away several years ago. Ned painted a mural of a big black truck on my nephews bedroom wall. He did such a wonderful job. His sister, Gail & I were best friends. I was there at there house a lot. My love, thoughts , & prayers go out to Gail & Mark. R.I.P. Ned!
Jim, love these memories, Ned had a habit of coming by when I had the pizza place for a salad after work, his drawings go past trucks, he did an airplane for my grandson, Sherman. Occasionally he would just come by to see that little toddler so he could play with him, get on the floor and crawl around under the table with that toddler just to hear his giggling cause of the chase.
His daughter Morgan was the subject of many conversations, my Kim reminded him of her, he told us once, on those late night salad bar runs he would sit and talk to her after a hard day at school till closing time.
We love Ned like family, was heart broken when I heard the news. We miss miss seeing his truck going thru town.
Enjoyed this Ned was a character but would give you the shirt off his back.He and my daughters dad were friends also.Chuck Taylor ,when Chuck introduced Ned to Jessica once he told her yep “Me and your dad rode to school on dinasours together,” just how he was.Miss you buddy!!
Ned was a character..he came in crackerbarrel solo..he would say nobody likes ole ned..id always answer well 2 of us do..he always came by my husband’s shop..and occasionally helped us out with digging..and hauling gravel..but more so just a special friend..he reminded me of eeyore off pooh..with his gentle ways..and even though he was far from shy..his eyes said different…he cleaned up very nice i remember once telling him..when he came in on a Sunday in a suite..and i told him..see you have friends..he was with Becky and Faye..the sisters..i jokingly called them high society..some of the finest ladies around..i said if you know them..your well off..but to know Ned..you were in the real high class..because he was the best..
Thank you Jim for the kind works. The whole family is broken hearted, but so good to remember his spirit as he walked through life❤️
Ned was a really special guy and always had something funny to say or do. Have lost touch with him throughout the years, but every time we ran into each other it was like we had always been together. May God bless you Ned and your loved ones.
James, thanks for your heartfelt feelings. It really brought back some great memories of the “good old days.” Thanks again bro
Thanks Mr.Jim for sharing some of your meomries of you and Ned.I met this fellow years ago when I work at CCRecycling center.He was a Character.Alwys had me laughong about something.He will be missed and especially by some of my family.My brother andhis wife Joyce ran the store up on 25 W.B and B.He was there all the time.He totaley just fell in love with my great nephew.Emmitt White.So Andrew and Hanna and Sandy and little Ella will all miss Ned.RIP.
Need was a great man. I loved to hear him tell his stories. Now he is reunited with his favorite girl. Rest easy in glory Ned! I will surely miss you.
Say bye Ned! Bye Ned.
I got to know Ned by coming in the office. (Ellison’s) I called him Ned Man! Ned would by a pail of degreaser every 6 months. One time he accidentally got a pail of pine disenfectant. The next time he came in he told us about it. I told him he should have brought it back. He said I used it, everything I have smells like pine Haha typical Ned. He would always mash his face to the front door. 🙄 He loved animals, his cat Jimmy and I remember him hauling his huge St. Benard in the back of his little truck. When it passed away he couldn’t hold back the tears. He was always smiling thru all his grief. It really changed him. RIP Ned Man…❤
I meet in 1972 him an Scott Lee run around together than ,they were a mess, .I dated Ned for about a year . He was a gentleman ,and could make you laugh .Lord have mercy, like you said he sure could draw , he had shown ealit of his pictures of trucks Ns such I was bragging on the. He gave me a couple of pictures of petterbult 18 wheelers, I still have them somewhere, I loved to hear him play the piano. He was a good Goodman .I’ll never forget him.
I will always remember Ned as a jokester. His family and mine went to a Christian youth retreat in Gatlinburg with the youth from church. Did you know he could roll his eyelids up?! Lol! Only Ned! He will be missed.
Thank you Jim for the Ned stories. I enjoyed them so much. I had heard a couple of them from Ned. He was one of a kind and he will be missed by many. He is with our Morgan and what a sweet reunion they will have. Thank you again for your funny and kind words. Jerrie Lynn
Thank you Jim for the wonderful stories of you and Ned. That was a time that kids were safe to be kids. Ned would love your words. He is with his beloved Morgan and is happy.
Thank you for your stories. I first met Ned in geometry class at LaFollette High. He sat behind me, and just as you mentioned was always sketching. I asked what he was drawing, and he said he was designing a three legged toilet. Then he started laughing. Sure enough the sketch was a three legged toilet. After that we became friends, and he not only tutored me in geometry, but he taught me to drive “After” I had my license. He said I was going to kill someone unless he gave me lessons. It wasn’t enough for Ned to teach me on an automatic only, I learned how to drive a three speed, then a four speed, then a five speed. He was the most patient teacher I’ve ever had. When I scared him, he would yell, “You’re making me a headache.” A couple of weeks before he died I ran into him at Big O’s. He was telling me that Morgan’s cat Jimmy had died, and he had adopted a new one. We chatted for a while and as we were leaving he shouted bye as always, “See you later little girl.” “See you later Ned… Will miss you…”
Jim, we do go back. Ned, my brother, my friend, my heart. He was born on the Ides of March 15, 1956. We moved into the house that our Dad, C.J., built on S 4th St. that Fall. Our grandfather, Charley, was fascinated by Ned’s piano playing talent. They would spend hours on the piano in the restaurant at the Russell Hotel. Ned playing and Charley naming the tune. If Ned did not know it, Charley would whistle it. This started when Ned was around 4 years old. Ned lived the rest of his life in the house Charley built in 1920 in Speedwell. Our father was born there. Ned refurbished it in the 1980s and spent his last night there on 5/11/2020. Ned was giving, fair, honest, and funny. If wronged, he was quick to forgive. I’ll always treasure the long late night phone calls and my many visits with Ned. He loved his God, Church, Family, and many, many Friends. He was the best of the best. I am so proud to be his sister. RIP, Ned, you are with your beautiful daughter, Morgan, now.