Russell Robert Linn

Major Russell Robert Linn USAF (ret), 83, of Morganton, NC passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte following a brief period of illness. He was born March 30, 1929 in Grafton, WV to the late George and Violet Linn.He was a graduate of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. A career officer, Russell retired from the United States Air Force as the Commander of the 2021st Communications Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in 1975. His career in navigation and communications spanned more than 28 years and took him throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia. After first retiring in Panama City, FL, where he enjoyed golf and gardening, he longed for the mountains of his youth. He then settled in Morganton where he still enjoyed golf and gardening and even became a North Carolina Master Gardener. He had a keen mind and wit and was known for his interests in astronomy and making sawdust.Russell is survived by his wife of 33 years, Paula Caya Linn of Morganton; daughters, Michelle Gibson and her husband, Tim, and Jennifer Hamilton and her husband, Jim, all of Florida; his step-children, Thomas Hoole and his wife, Brenda, of Maryland, David Hoole of Maryland, and Melissa Dahm and her husband, Douglas, of Colorado; numerous grand and great-grandchildren; sisters, Beatrice Giles of Maryland and Elizabeth Rainey of West Virginia; and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by a son, David Mark Linn of Florida; and his siblings, Mildred Kopacki and John Linn, both of West Virginia.A private ceremony in celebration of Russell’s life will be announced at a later date.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.