John B.Russell, Jr.1947-2017John B. Russell Jr., 69, passed away peacefully, with family and friends by his side, on January 3, 2017.John was born on August 26, 1947 to Lt. John B. Russell Sr and Kathleen Riley Russell in Jacksonville, FL. As a member of a military family he traveled often during his youth, including living in Kodiak, AK in the 1950's.The family settled in Pensacola, FL where John attended St. John's Elementary School and Pensacola Catholic High school. John was a talented, creative person and his chosen careers proved it. John's first career was as a lead and bass guitarist for some well know Pensacola bands in the 1960's including the Scoundrels, the Fat Cats and the duo Russell and Garcia.In his 40's John obtained a Masters Degree in Psychology from Troy State University. He then engaged in the life saving work as an addiction rehabilitation therapist at the Friary and later in private practice with Dr. Richard Beech.Finally John returned to his passion in life which is surfing by becoming a well known, self taught photographer/videographer specializing in getting the "money shot" for surfers. His popular web site "Surf Smooth" contains many examples of his beautiful handiwork as well as his informative daily surf reports.John has long been regarded as one of Pensacola's beloved pioneers of long board surfing.He is preceded in death by his parents; step father, Stafford Pulford Sr.; wife, Kathi Russell and an infant son, John B. Russell III.He will be truly missed by his daughter, Tanis Russell McCree (Richard); son, Ryan Russell (Alysha); sister, Kathleen Russell; step brother, Staff Pulford Jr. (Carolyn); former wives, Marsha Larsen and Denise Roberts (Glenn); step children, Ryan Palusak and Jamie Berry; grandchildren, Katie, Trip and Brooke McCree, Harley and Kendall Russell and many close friends too numerous to mention. A memorial service and a paddle out will be scheduled and announced at a later date. Special thanks go to Bert Pittman III, the "brother from another mother" an extraordinary friend who never left Johns side, to the Pensacola Beach surf riders' community and to Dr. William Bailey Jr., his medical team and the excellent caregivers at Baptist Hospital.If you would like, please consider making a donation to SOFL (Special Olympics Florida), 2000 E. Lloyd St., Pensacola, FL 32503, for Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties' Surf Programs for Special Needs Children to further John's legacy of celebrating what God has given all of us…the glorious surf, sand, sunrises and sunsets.Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits