Russell Paul Crain, Jr.

Russell "Rusty" Paul Crain, Jr.  passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia, on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Rusty was born in 1952, in Gadsden, Alabama, to the late Russell P. Crain, Sr. and Drucilla Crain.

Rusty graduated from Gadsden High School in 1970, where he played tennis and met the love of his life, Elaine. He graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1974, with a BS in Chemistry, and from the former North Georgia College, in 1981, with a Master's in Education.

Rusty and Elaine were married in 1973, and after graduation, moved to Gainesville, Georgia to begin their teaching careers at North Hall High School. He taught at North Hall for 27 years and completed his teaching career at Chestatee High School in Gainesville. He was also a GED instructor for about 20 years at the Hall County Correctional Institute.

When his sons, Russ and Ryan were young, he was a community soccer coach with his mentor and friend, Jose Sanchez.

From 1992 to 2002, Rusty was the Boys' Soccer Coach at North Hall, where he was proud to have coached both his sons, and so many of their precious friends.  In 1993, he established the Girls' Soccer program at the school. In 1996, he led the Boys team to the school's first ever State Playoff berth.  His teams also went to the State playoffs in 1997 and 1998.

Rusty is survived by Elaine, his wife of 52 years; son and daughter-in-law, Russ and Heather Crain; son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Jessie Crain; Elissa Crain; brother and sister-in-law, Randall and Cheryl Crain; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lamar and Melissa Gray; Amanda Cain; Aunt Gail Adams; nephew, Jay Crain and Sage; niece, Hannah Walker  and Hadley and Asher; nephew, Jeff Gray; cousins, David Morring and Marika, Daniel and Holly Carmona and Wren, David Carmona and Kelly and Tyler; Carla Adams and Gaylan, Chuck and Karen Adams; and, last, but not least, his six grandchildren who were the center of his world: Rhiannon James Crain, Henry Russell Crain, Clara Ruth Crain, Cora Sue Crain, Liam Tiberius Crain, and Logan Riker Crain; ...and Candy.

During his retirement, he and Elaine were professional grandparents to those six wonderful grands who all adored their sweet Papa.  He was a lifelong fan of the University of Alabama, and he passed that love on to his sons and his grandson, Henry. ROLL TIDE!!

Rusty was beloved by many in the North Hall Community.  Through his teaching and coaching career, he impacted thousands of lives sharing his love, compassion, sense of humor and energetic spirit with so many young people and fellow teachers.

As there will be no interment, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, The American Heart Association, or any of your favorite charities.  Those wishing to leave condolences may do so at www.littledavenport.com

His Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 11:00 am at Clarksville First United Methodist Church, 1087 Washington Street, Clarksville, Georgia 30523.

For those who are unable to attend, there will be a live stream at clarksvillefmc.org 

Our precious friend, Ross (Rocky) Wheeler will be officiating.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Arrangements are in the care of Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501

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