Russell L. McKain died on October 30, 2017, in his home. He was born in Anderson to Jesse and Geraldine (Niccum) McKain and graduated from Anderson High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Hamul in the Pacific. On April 16, 1948, he married Jerry Foster, and she survives.
Upon returning home, Russell attended business school and worked at National Tile and started his career at Guide Lamp in data processing and programming, being one of the first to work with computers at the General Motors plant in the early 1960s. He retired from Guide in 1982.
Russell loved his sports, participating in golf, basketball, softball, tennis, and bowling leagues. He was also a very good dancer. Russ and Jerry were able to master everything from square dancing to disco to waltz. After retirement, Russ and Jerry were involved in golf and tennis groups in Indianapolis, Anderson, and Florida. Russell also loved music and kept a cache of musical instruments in the house. One never knew if he would be playing the trombone, trumpet, or keyboard when entering the home. The favorite of his great-grandchildren was his harmonica, and he would play for them anytime they visited. Winters were spent in Punta Gorda, Florida, where he could drop a fishing line in the backyard pond, play golf or tennis, sit in the sun, or tinker in his garage.
Russell could fix anything, and his kids grew up unaware that repairmen even existed. There was not a home improvement project or mechanical issue that he and Jerry could not figure out. They were also the parents who took the time to support their kids at school, music and sports functions, often stepping in to help other kids whose parents could not be there.
He is survived by Jerry, his wife of 69 years; daughters, Kathleen McKain and Kelly (Steve) Turner; daughter-in-law, Christine McKain; brother, Norman McKain; grandchildren, Adam (Alison) McKain, Anne (Ryan) Plovick, Mary Frash, Sam Frash, Evan (Josi) Turner, Meredith (Paul) Potrzebowski, and Kyle (Elle) Turner; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to visit from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at the home of Meredith and Paul Potrzebowski, 11608 Laurel Springs Circle in Noblesville.
Donations may be made to Family Life Care Hospice, 705 S. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN 46953 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital online at www.stjude.org.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.