My name is Mary, and I have the privilege of calling Russ Walker my best friend and brother. Russ had a heart attack Sunday October 31st after feeling heartburn for a few days. After an unsuccessful attempt at a catheter stent placement, he underwent major open heart surgery this past Monday November 8th.

 

Like many of you who will read this, Russ and I met on the soccer field many years ago coaching children on opposing teams and then spent years working as a coaching unit. Russ is perhaps one of the most well know figures in the world of soccer in the State of Florida. We can be at a tournament 3 counties away and someone will surely come bounding across the field toward Russ ready to be wrapped in a wobbly bear hug.

 

This isn’t Russ’ first brush with death, he’s a proud Air Force Vet, and a bone cancer survivor with a prosthetic hip and partial femur. He still coaches the sport he loves tirelessly as well as serves in multiple management capacities for local and state soccer organizations.

 

Most important to remember is that he is the most devoted and loving husband to Sherry, a father to Tyler and and Justin and a coach and father figure to thousands, yes, I said thousands, of players who are now spread around the world. He is the most amazing man I have ever met and many of us know our world is a brighter place with Russ in it.

 

Let’s rally to make sure his family has the support they need as he RECOVERS and HEALS FULLY!