THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 23, 1995 TAG: 9507230008
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Edwin Russell House Jr., 65, died in his home on July 21, 1995, of natural causes.
Russell was a Norfolk native, born November 14, 1929. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was an accomplished jazz musician, a member of the American Federation of Musicians, local 125, having performed with big bands including Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey; with Buddy Morrow, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Billy May, Harry James, Les Elgart, Lee Castle. He'd also backed well known vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick, The Spinners, as well as local favorite Pete Decker. Russ had conducted for greats including Mel Torme, Jack Jones, Helen O'Connell, Glenn Miller Orchestra with Larry O'Brien and Count Basie. To quote an article written by William Ruehlmann from The Virginian-Pilot/Ledger-Star, dated August 21, 1983, ``To listen to House play ``I Hear A Rhapsody'' in F is like drifting slowly down river in a flatboat on a foggy evening with a touch of jasmine in the air. It's another world; House admits he doesn't know exactly where that world is located, but it is the place he wants to go to when he dies.''
He was the beloved son of Beryl Dunning Forester and (predeceased by Edwin R. House Sr.) Thomas Hall Forester. He is survived by his mother as well as his son, Edwin Russell House, III and his daughter, Bonnie House Klemstine, both of Virginia Beach; his brother, G. Melvyn House of Raleigh, NC; and five grandchildren, Steven and Kristin Klemstine; Lettie, Stephanie, and Melanie House; as well as a host of relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be conducted at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Shore Dr., Virginia Beach, Monday, July 24, 1995, at 2:00 p.m. by Pastor Kenneth Carbaugh. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home Tidewater Drive Chapel from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday evening.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB