Mr. Russell Eugene “Gene” “Sarge” Quarles, 91, retired employee of Middle Tennessee Experiment Station, Maury Fence Company, and the United States Air Force, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022 at Life Care Center of Columbia.
Born May 23, 1930 in Dallas County, Alabama, he was the son of the late Howard Lee Quarles and the late Ella Dorothea Frith Quarles.
He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and Vietnam War from 1950-1971. Mr. Quarles spent 10 years in Del Rio, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona. With U-2 Reconnaissance Aircraft Tours, he served in Japan, Greenland, and Azores Island. He served 3 times in Vietnam and was a life member of Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Quarles was of Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife, whom he married November 20, 1970, Marian Jane Patton Quarles of Columbia; sister-in-law, Ellen Quarles of Pegram; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Lillian Quarles Breeding, Mattie Lee Quarles Clark Howard; brothers, W.D. Quarles, Johnny Quarles, Paul Quarles, Howard Quarles; sister-in-law, Joyce Quarles; and brother-in-law, Darwin Clark.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 1:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Hueston Marshall. Burial will follow in Neapolis Cemetery with full military honors provided by the United States Air Force. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Neapolis Cemetery Association, c/o Rita Parks, 3060 Valley Creek Road, Culleoka, TN 38451.
Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Active pallbearers will be Charles Kerby, Russell Quarles, Phillip Quarles, David Clark, Jason Patton, Mike Patton, Ricky Patton, and Billy Quarles. Honorary pallbearers include Sam Williams, Everette Renfro, Allen Elias, Walter Hurt, Whitt Whitaker, Sam Keto, Dr. Doug Kennedy and staff, staff of Life Care Center of Columbia, 4080th families and friends, and his nieces and nephews.
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