Russell R. Grapes, Sr.
Date of Birth: 11/3/1943
Date of Death: 3/13/2025

Russell Roger Grapes, Sr. of Worton, MD passed away peacefully at Compass Regional Hospice in Centreville, MD on March 13, 2025. He was 81 years old.

He was born in Annapolis, MD on November 3, 1943, the son of the late Jackson Karl Grapes and Genevieve (Hoeffler) Grapes. He graduated from Annapolis Senior High School. After high school, he volunteered at the Cape St. Claire Volunteer Fire Company, where at one of the fire hall dances, he met the love of his life, Sharon Lee Sullivan. In 1963, Russell was hired by the Anne Arundel Fire Department, where he worked until his retirement in 1999. On October 8, 1963, Sharon and Russell were married, and they went on to have two beautiful children. The family lived in Eastport, Cape St. Claire, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, and Florida before settling down in Chestertown, MD.

Russel served at Engine 17 and was 1 of the original Engineman on Truck 23 when it first went in service.

In his spare time, Russell enjoyed working on small engines and golfing.

In addition to his parents and his wife of nearly 60 years, he was preceded in death by a great-grandchild, Richard “RJ” Cranford.

He is survived by his children, Russell R. Grapes, Jr. of Queen Anne, MD and Renny R. Grapes, Sr. (Christina) of Worton, MD; grandchildren, Emily Krebs, Alyson Grapes, Sean Grapes, Renny Grapes Jr., Makayla Mims, Rachel Grapes, and Kaitlynne Grapes; and great-grandchildren: Taytlin Grapes, Ozlyn Krebs, and Axel Grapes.