Russell Eugene “Gene” “Sarge” Quarles, 91, retired employee of Middle Tennessee Experiment Station, Maury Fence Company and the United States Air Force, died Friday, April 1, 2022 at Life Care Center of Columbia.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 1:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. 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. – 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorials to the Neapolis Cemetery Association, c/o Freeda Potts, 403 Cheyenne Trail, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
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, Marion 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.
Active pallbearers will be United States Air Force. Honorary pallbearers include his nieces, nephews, and friends, Dr. Doug Kennedy and Staff.
