Jack Russell, who parlayed a U.S. yo-yo championship into an empire, has died at 83.
By Associated Press
Published March 25, 2004
STUART - Jack Russell, a yo-yo expert with signature moves such as the "Hula," has died. He was 83.
His talent led to a U.S. yo-yo championship and fame throughout the world. It also led to a patent of his own yo-yo, and he sold millions of his Russell brand yo-yos from the Stuart headquarters.
"He was a super guy. He led a life that was just epic," said son Riki Russell, who now runs the family business. "He truly, truly was a dynamo in his day."
Russell died at his home in Stuart on March 17.
He built the Jack Russell Co. on a marketing relationship with Coca-Cola, selling more than a half-billion yo-yos bearing the soft drink giant's logos.
"He was responsible for yo-yo marketing throughout the world," said Bob Malowney, director of the National Yo-Yo Museum in Chico, Calif.
Russell started playing with yo-yos as a child in Kentucky. When he was in high school, a representative from the Duncan Co., the best known yo-yo manufacturer at the time, saw Russell demonstrating how to use the toy at a local department store. Russell was hired, and he quickly moved up in the company before starting his own venture.
He is survived by his wife, Kazuyo, the former Japan yo-yo champion, two sons and two daughters.
