Russell High School Alumni
Russell, Kentucky (KY)

Recent Members
Aimee Bohn | 1996 |
Belinda Parker Belinda Parker | 1996 |
Catherine Walker | 2009 |
James (bub) Conley | 2000 |
Johnda Stidham | 2000 |
Shannon Cline | 1988 |
Shannon Cline | 1998 |
Tom Tom Sparks | 1986 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Russell High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Red Devils lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni

Charlie Jerry Sammons
Class of 1974
Navy, 20+ Years
Active duty April 1975 - May 1995. Completed basic training at Naval Training Center, Orlando, FL. Served aboard USS L.Y. Spear AS 36, USS McCann less FF 1084, USS E.S. Land AS 39, Fleet Training Center Instructor, USS Austin LPD 4 and Fleet Training Center Firefighting School Lead Insturctor.Began career as HTFA/E2 (Welder) and advanced through the Enlisted Ranks attaining the Enlisted Rank of HTCS/E8 (Senior Chief). Received 2 Navy Commandation Metals, 5 Navy Achievements and numerous other awards for repair support to forward deployed ships and support to the Navy and Marine Corps during Desert Storm.
Class of 1974
Navy, 20+ Years
Active duty April 1975 - May 1995. Completed basic training at Naval Training Center, Orlando, FL. Served aboard USS L.Y. Spear AS 36, USS McCann less FF 1084, USS E.S. Land AS 39, Fleet Training Center Instructor, USS Austin LPD 4 and Fleet Training Center Firefighting School Lead Insturctor.Began career as HTFA/E2 (Welder) and advanced through the Enlisted Ranks attaining the Enlisted Rank of HTCS/E8 (Senior Chief). Received 2 Navy Commandation Metals, 5 Navy Achievements and numerous other awards for repair support to forward deployed ships and support to the Navy and Marine Corps during Desert Storm.

D. Joseph Whitt
Class of 1991
National Guard, 21 Years
Currently serving in KY National Guard (as of 2018).
Class of 1991
National Guard, 21 Years
Currently serving in KY National Guard (as of 2018).

Ewell Johnson
Class of 1959
Navy, 20+ Years
Left School in 1957 to Join the Navy. While in service I earned my High School G.E.D.
Served throughout U.S. and Spain. My specialty was Optical repair on Submarines and surface war ships. Retired as a Petty Officer 1st. class in 1976
Class of 1959
Navy, 20+ Years
Left School in 1957 to Join the Navy. While in service I earned my High School G.E.D.
Served throughout U.S. and Spain. My specialty was Optical repair on Submarines and surface war ships. Retired as a Petty Officer 1st. class in 1976

Gary Ray Jones
Class of 1977
Army, 20+ Years
Served as a Master Army Aviator conducting helicopter operations world-wide. Most recent assignment served as a tactics instructor and deputy director of the tactics department at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Awarded the Legion of Merit upon retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Class of 1977
Army, 20+ Years
Served as a Master Army Aviator conducting helicopter operations world-wide. Most recent assignment served as a tactics instructor and deputy director of the tactics department at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Awarded the Legion of Merit upon retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Jeramy Manis
Class of 1992
Navy, 10 Years
I served in the Navy for 4 years with the Marine Corp as a Navy Corpsman. After my 4 years, I served 1 year in the Navy Reserve. When I moved to Florida I enlisted in the Army National Guard for 5 years. I ended my enlistment in Oct of 2002.
Class of 1992
Navy, 10 Years
I served in the Navy for 4 years with the Marine Corp as a Navy Corpsman. After my 4 years, I served 1 year in the Navy Reserve. When I moved to Florida I enlisted in the Army National Guard for 5 years. I ended my enlistment in Oct of 2002.

Jerry McKenzie
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
A year and a half in Little Rock Ark.(ugh) and the remainder of my time in Bitburg Germany. I was in security.
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
A year and a half in Little Rock Ark.(ugh) and the remainder of my time in Bitburg Germany. I was in security.

Jim Nippert
Class of 1966
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served in Vietnam, Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Iraqui Freedom. Retired with 24.5 years of service
Class of 1966
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served in Vietnam, Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Iraqui Freedom. Retired with 24.5 years of service

Jim Nippert, SMSgt. Retired
Class of 1966
Air Force, 20+ Years
1966-1970 - 1 year in Vietnam; 1988-2008 - Delaware Air National Guard (1988-1992) - in support of Desert Storm. Georgia Air National Guard (1993-2008) - Operation Enduring Freedom (Incirlik AB, Turkey); Operation Nobel Eagle and Operatiion Iraqi Freedom (Travis Air Field, Savannah, GA and Dobbins ARB, Marietta, GA). Retired after 24.5 years.
Class of 1966
Air Force, 20+ Years
1966-1970 - 1 year in Vietnam; 1988-2008 - Delaware Air National Guard (1988-1992) - in support of Desert Storm. Georgia Air National Guard (1993-2008) - Operation Enduring Freedom (Incirlik AB, Turkey); Operation Nobel Eagle and Operatiion Iraqi Freedom (Travis Air Field, Savannah, GA and Dobbins ARB, Marietta, GA). Retired after 24.5 years.

Joni D Riffe
Class of 1976
Army, 4 Years
91P
Basic Training Ft. Jackson
AIT Ft. Benning
Stationed at Ft. Ord California
Martin Army Hospital
Class of 1976
Army, 4 Years
91P
Basic Training Ft. Jackson
AIT Ft. Benning
Stationed at Ft. Ord California
Martin Army Hospital

Kent Clay
Class of 1964
Army, 2 Years
Served 1 year, 11 months, 11 days, and 17 hours...but he wasn't counting. Wanted to bring his training/skills to the private sector but no one needed anything blown up.
Class of 1964
Army, 2 Years
Served 1 year, 11 months, 11 days, and 17 hours...but he wasn't counting. Wanted to bring his training/skills to the private sector but no one needed anything blown up.

Michael Shelton
Class of 1965
Navy Reserves, 20+ Years
5 years active flying A-6 Intruder. 25+ years Reserves. Retired Nov 2000 as 06.
Class of 1965
Navy Reserves, 20+ Years
5 years active flying A-6 Intruder. 25+ years Reserves. Retired Nov 2000 as 06.


Samuel "Sammy" Pratt
Class of 1971
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Honorable discharged after 4 years. Served May 1973 thru 1977.
Class of 1971
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Honorable discharged after 4 years. Served May 1973 thru 1977.
Alumni Stories

Read and submit stories about our classmates from Russell High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Red Devils.
School News
found 1951 classring
I have found a female 1951 class ring on the bleachers of the football field. I'm sure it means a great deal to someone...
Read More »
Our Russell High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Russell High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Russell are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!