Daniel Russell

Daniel  Russell, 74, of Catlett, Virginia, passed March 30, 2026, at his residence. 

Daniel was born on December 5, 1951, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Blanche Barr and Thomas Daniel McFarland, both of whom have passed away. He was also predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Mary and James McCoy. At the age of 12, Daniel was baptized at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Philadelphia. His early years were marked by a commitment to service—he began as a Junior Usher and sang in the Youth Choir. Daniel learned the value of hard work from a young age, selling newspapers and working on a traveling vegetable truck. He completed his education at Edward Bok Technical High School in Philadelphia, where he studied plumbing and welding, and subsequently began a career in the plumbing industry.

In 1970, Daniel was drafted by the United States Army but chose to join the United States Fleet Marine Corps instead. He completed his basic training at Boot Camp Parris Island, South Carolina, focusing on anti-tank and multi-weapon operations as part of Platoon 2027. He completed jungle training in Panama. He underwent desert training at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, California.  Daniel served two tours at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in 1971-1972 and again in 1974.

As a Fleet Marine, Antitank Assaultman, he traveled extensively, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal, and Mediterranean Sea. His deployments took him to a wide array of countries, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Spain, Greece, North Africa, China, Japan, Singapore, Italy, France, England, Panama, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and Australia. From 19 74 to 1976, he served in the Marine reserves and was honorably discharged in 1976 with the rank of Sergeant (E5).

After his military service, Daniel began working as a Campus Police Officer at Temple University in Philadelphia from 1975 to 1984, earning a Special Certificate in 1981. He married the late Linda Vickers, and together they welcomed a daughter, Danielle Lynee. The family moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, where Daniel continued his law enforcement career. He served as a Police Officer at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., from 1984 to 1988. He later worked at the United States Department of Energy Special Police/Protective Force in Germantown, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., from 1989 to 2011. From 1990 to 2013, Daniel was employed as a Police Officer at Northern Virginia Community College, Manassas Campus, in Manassas, Virginia. It was here that he met his beloved wife, Kathy Marie Neverdon.

Through Kathy, Daniel was introduced to First Mount Zion Baptist Church (FMZBC) in Dumfries, Virginia, becoming a member in October 1996. Daniel and Kathy were married at First Mount Zion on December 6, 1997, and made their home in Catlett, Virginia. They shared over 28 years of happy marriage. A dedicated member of FMZBC, Daniel participated in the Senior Ushers’ Ministry, the Men’s Choir, the Men’s Ministry, the Mass Choir, and the Seniors’ Ministry. He found immense joy in worshipping and praising God, and serving alongside fellow church members. As a choir member, you could not miss his high-spirited manifestation of his love for and gratitude to God. Despite his illnesses, Daniel’s faith in God remained strong. He shared the love and blessings of God with many. His message of the goodness of God and God is in control was shared with many. He regretted not being able to attend services and participate in ministry activities, but streamed services while in the hospital and at home. He was a fighter.  He persevered through the sometimes-excruciating pain to participate in ministry for many years. He was known for his big heart, his love for God’s people, his infectious laugh, and booming bass voice. As a loyal Marine, Daniel became a lifetime member of Quantico, Virginia Chapter 32 of the National Montford Point Marines Association, Incorporated.

Daniel Russell is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; his daughter, Danielle Lynee Mason (Samuel) of Damascus, Maryland; his grandson, Alexander Isaiah Mason of Damascus, Maryland; two sisters, Mary Griffin of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Carrie Hudson (Charles) of Royersford, Pennsylvania; as well as nieces, nephews, cherished friends Ronald Norman Colonel (Ret), Andre Robinson, Master Gunnery (Ret), William Neal Patterson Colonel (Ret), and Preston Malone, Sargeant Major (Ret). He is also remembered by many family members and friends, all of whom will continue to honor and cherish his memory and legacy.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, April 16, 2026, 10 am until 11 am with funeral services starting at 11 am at First Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 16622 Dumfries Road, Dumfries, Virginia, 22025.  Rev. Dr. Sandra K. James will deliver the eulogy.
  
Interment with military honors will be in the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico, Triangle, Virginia.

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