Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

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Kenny Edmondson
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Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Kenny Edmondson » Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:24 am

I received this information and the family wanted the information sent out to the organization. I will update as information on the services becomes available.

Kenny,
I received a call a half hour ago from Jane Cress telling me that Russ Potter passed away last night.
No arrangements as of yet.
She did say she wanted all the Model Ts that could come to the funeral as he had requested.
Terry Light will be taking his casket to the cemetery in his TT.
Would you please post this on our facebook page and send out a mass email.


I will keep you informed.

Ron
Last edited by Kenny Edmondson on Tue Mar 05, 2024 4:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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rnwilliams
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Re: Russ Potter

Post by rnwilliams » Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:28 am

So sorry to hear about Mr. Potter's passing. The family will be in our prayers. He will surely be missed by the Model T community.
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Re: Russ Potter

Post by jawa » Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:31 am

Our condolences to the Potter family. The Model T family will truly miss Russ.

The Spatto Family
Mohawk, NY

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Re: Russ Potter

Post by TWrenn » Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:49 am

OMG...so sad. Prayers to his family and for the repose of his soul. Losing a lot of good ones. RIP Russ.


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Re: Russ Potter

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:00 pm

Very sad to see this. Rest in peace Russ.

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Re: Russ Potter

Post by George House » Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:29 pm

Oh no ! What a wonderful, giving and encouraging man. I am so sorry to hear this and please pass along condolences to his supportive family. 🙏
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Re: Russ Potter

Post by MKossor » Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:36 pm

Sorry to learn this sad news. Russ was very kind to share his knowledge and coach me in rebuilding my vaporizer when I called him for help. I encountered difficulty and couldn't get it running smoothly. I followed Russ's guidance and had it running well soon after. Wonderful role model for the Model T hobby.

Condolences to family and friends.
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Re: Russ Potter

Post by Erik Barrett » Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:51 pm

A great loss to all of us in the hobby. I am glad to hear he was passing his knowledge onto the next generation. I have a few of his carbs in stock and they just became more golden to me.


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Re: Russ Potter

Post by Brent Mize » Tue Mar 05, 2024 1:15 pm

So very sorry for the whole Potter family.
Russ was a great friend and will be sorely missed.
Fly free Carbking. 😢🙏🏻
You were a friend to many and helped so many along the way.
You’ve more than earned your wings my friend❤️🙏🏻
I will miss you Russ!😢


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Re: Russ Potter

Post by Fire_chief » Tue Mar 05, 2024 1:22 pm

My condolences to the Potter family.
I always made it a point to stop by his spot at Hershey each year. I have about a dozen rebuilt carbs, buying one or two each year. He will be dearly missed.

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Re: Russ Potter

Post by KirkieP » Tue Mar 05, 2024 1:55 pm

My prayers are with Mary and his family.
Kirk Peterson
Santa Fe NM


Distagon2

Re: Russ Potter

Post by Distagon2 » Tue Mar 05, 2024 2:24 pm

Sad to lose another titan of the Model T hobby.


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Re: Russ Potter

Post by Bruce Compton » Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:03 pm

So sorry to hear this . Russ was one of the good guy, a great friend and always a pleasure to be around. We always mad a point of getting together at Hershey for "refreshments" and to exchange stories. My sincere condolences to Mary and the rest of Russ's family. The T hobby will not be the same now. R.I.P buddy.


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Re: Russ Potter

Post by ThreePedalTapDancer » Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:09 pm

Godspeed Russ, I still have the 4 ball you rebuilt for me years ago. Thank you for your contributions to the hobby. Time to rest now.
IMG_2658.jpeg


Ron Patterson

Re: Russ Potter

Post by Ron Patterson » Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:17 pm

My condolences to Mary and the Potter family.
Ron Patterson


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Re: Russ Potter

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:18 pm

I mentioned Russ's passing to my buddy who comes along with me on Speedster tours, (began by Russ). He had the following thoughts, which I think are worth sharing.

"At first I thought Russ’s passing was a bummer; then I realized that he can drive a T again without any pain and there are a lot of Model T guys up there."


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Re: Russ Potter

Post by got10carz » Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:22 pm

I so agree with what Jerry and Dean said. May your speedster fly up the hill.


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Re: Russ Potter

Post by Brian Cress » Tue Mar 05, 2024 4:14 pm

Mary and the family would like to thank everyone for all of your prayers and condolences. He will be greatly missed by so many. Attached are the details of his arrangements for all those that wish to attend:

Susnset Funeral Home
3940 N. Vermilion St.
Danville, IL. 61834
217-442-2874

The visitation is on Sunday March 10th from 2-4 PM and the funeral is scheduled for Monday the 11th at 10 AM.

Please feel free to bring your favorite Model T and help send him off in grand fashion!


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Tue Mar 05, 2024 4:49 pm

Saddened to see this. We have known this was coming for quite some time now, but still sad to know it has happened.
Russ has been a major player and a fixture in this hobby for a very long time. He will be missed, and remembered for another long time.


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Farmer J » Tue Mar 05, 2024 4:52 pm

So sad to hear of Russ’s passing. We have lost so many of the Model T greats and Russ was at the top of the list. He and I looked over some of the treasures that the MTFCA Museum inherited from Stan Howe,just a few months ago, and I was amazed at the knowledge Russ had about some really unique old carburetors. I should have written down what he told me. He will be sorely missed.

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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue Mar 05, 2024 5:32 pm

It was nice visiting with Russ at the Model T Haven auction. He has certainly helped a lot of folks get their cars squared away.
The inevitable often happens.
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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by mortier » Tue Mar 05, 2024 5:37 pm

Russ, I just put your rebuilt Holley NH in my Model T Roadster. You and Potter's Piston Parlor will be missed!

Phil Jamison


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by KimDobbins » Tue Mar 05, 2024 5:41 pm

Sorry to hear of the passing of Russ. He was an icon in this hobby and will surely be missed and remembered.


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by ThreePedalTapDancer » Tue Mar 05, 2024 6:07 pm



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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Russ_Furstnow » Tue Mar 05, 2024 6:37 pm

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and the family. I am so grateful that Russ passed along his knowledge to his son. He was truly one of the "GOOD" ones and will be sorely missed!! Russ Furstnow
Last edited by Russ_Furstnow on Wed Mar 06, 2024 8:42 am, edited 1 time in total.


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Model T Mark » Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:20 pm

Lots of good times over the years with Russ on tours and at auctions all over the United States. Once you meant him he was a personality you would never forget. I’m better person for have been able to call him a friend. Rest in peace.


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Herb Iffrig » Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:45 pm

Sorry to hear of this.

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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Mark Chaffin » Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:03 am

Very sad upon receiving this news. Russ was an inspiration to us all and a true gentleman. He will be missed indeed. Our prayers to his family for their loss.


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by FATMAN » Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:34 am

Very sad for your loss, I knew Russ quite well and he will be missed, Bob & Connie Bergstadt

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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Susanne » Wed Mar 06, 2024 12:11 pm

I've been sitting here all day kind of broke hearted... Russ was one of the rare few who understood our cars (and especially fuel systems) and could make them work. He was one of those rare individuals who would give anything that it took to get someone on the road, to suss out a gremlin no one else could suss, and ALWAYS have a quip, a smile in his voice, or a kind word. If you had a question, he would answer it freely, because to him, the hobby was number one, even thouugh it was also his "business".

I have a similar hobby - slash - business thing, and it was HIS guidance and inspiration that led me that way. He was, in a very real way, my inspiration for what I'm doing in my retirement, and I can only hope I can hold the line.

And now... he's gone. Damnit. Crap, I've been holding back tears, but I'm not sure I can keep doing that. Because while you weren't part of my "close social circle" (something I need to work on), you were, to me a HUGE inspiration... one of a few in this hobby... and, we... l... damnit, THANK YOU, Russ, for helping make me the crazed old mechanical repairer you did.

BTW - I still have questions, so someday, long from now, maybe you can answer a couple of them for me, Not that it will matter much, but yeah, you ARE one of the rare "answer-men" to whom I relied on...

See you on the other side, Russ... and untill then,, may all your starts be free ones!


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Mike Lebsack-Iowa » Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:44 am

Very, very sad to hear this. Definitely a top notch guy in my book. Had lots of candid conversations with Russ. Will miss him as my next door neighbor at Chickasha. Rest Well Mr. Potter.


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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Jamie Maxwell » Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:34 am

My thoughts and prayers for the family. Always enjoyed visiting
With Russ and Mary at Homecoming in Richmond and was privileged to get to visit his piston parlor. RIP Russ

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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Oldav8tor » Sat Mar 09, 2024 10:27 am

I was always proud to say I had a "Russ Potter" carb in my Model T. Having one of his rebuilts was equivalent to having the best available. I only got a chance to talk to him a few times but came away wiser from each conversation. He was truly one of the "great ones" of the Model T hobby and will be missed. My condolences to his family and all those mourning his loss.
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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Dollisdad » Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:39 am

Many years ago in California, one hot day, I was at work with the roll ups open and I noticed a guy wandering around out front. I took a second look and thought” That looks like Russ”. So I walked over to the door and yelled “Hey Potter!”. He turned and walked towards me and I said “Are you lost?” knowing he lives in Indiana. When he gets to me he says “I heard this is a pretty shady operation so I thought I’d take a look for myself”. He was actually at Lock-n-Stitch, which is two doors down from us, for a 3 day workshop. When they had a break he would come over and hangout with us and talk with all the employees .I bought quite a few carbs from Russ and all the cars I have now, have them on them. I will miss Russ as many of us will. My condolences to his family.

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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Hap_Tucker » Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:50 am

Our condolences to Russ' family and friends. Russ did so much for so many and will be greatly missed by all those his life touched. And he is still giving...from his obituary at: https://obituaries.sunsetfuneralhome.co ... ell-Potter it has:

"Memorials may be made in Russell’s memory to the Model T Ford Club of America, 310 N 8th Street Richmond, Indiana 47374 or on the internet at mtfca.com ."

He also did a great job of passing along the "Joy of T's" to others. Below is a photo of Russ and one of his Granddaughters, Joselyn with her speedster that he helped her build. (From: https://www.commercial-news.com/potters ... f5cd2.html )
Russ Potter - 24-03-04.jpg
Russ Potter - 24-03-04.jpg (60.43 KiB) Viewed 5683 times
He is still an inspiration to us.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Topic author
Kenny Edmondson
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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Kenny Edmondson » Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:42 pm

Procession of T’s to the cemetery
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Re: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements

Post by Model_T_Family » Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:57 am

Sad to hear, Russ and I shared a Birthday, amongst other things. He was a great guy and a even better T-guy. Hugs and prayers to the family.

Eric Sayer

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