Russell Edward Henegar

Published in the St. Petersburg Times on 5/31/2009

HENEGAR, Russell Edward 82, of Seminole, went to be with his Lord Wednesday, May 27th at Largo Medical from complications after a hip fracture in February.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Upright; sons, Daryl of Seminole; Dana of St. Petersburg; daughters, Desiree of Bradenton; Donna and husband Robert Tanguay Jr. of Seminole; grandchildren, Thomas Henegar and Michael and Mary Tanguay; siblings, Elizabeth Khan and Dennis Henegar of Clearwater; cousins, Harold Bailey of Duck Springs, AL, Gene Bailey of Tucker, GA, Carolyn Smith of Eastanolle, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews in FL, AL, GA, MI, and CO.

Born May 1st, 1927 in Keener, Alabama to Roy and Ruby Henegar, orphaned at age 12, he and his siblings were raised by his Aunt Bertia and Uncle Ed Bailey in Keener.

He was a U.S. Navy aviation mechanic during WWII and the Korean War.

While a southpaw pitcher with the Boston Braves organization in North Carolina he met and married his wife Margaret. He lost his dream of baseball due to a wrist injury, so he pursued his education and earned a Masters degree from the University of Alabama in education, physical education and mathematics.

He was a high school basketball and baseball coach and taught math in Liberty, AL and Belle Glade, FL before settling in Seminole where he continued coaching and teaching at Dixie Hollins High and St. Petersburg Junior College.

He refereed high school basketball and football with the Sunshine Officials Association for 35 years. He was also a major league baseball scout for the Montreal Expos.

He was a Mason and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, American Legion Post 252, and the following associations: South Pinellas County Retired Educators, National Retired Teachers, and Florida High School Activities. He was an avid NASCAR Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr. fan.

He will be inurned at Serenity Gardens in Largo.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Northwest Presbyterian Church. Moss Feaster Funeral Home - Serenity Gardens Chapel 562-2080.