Jerry's Obituary as published by ACA International
January 10
by Dan Russell
ACA Member Obituary: Gerald K. Russell
Gerald K. "Jerry" Russell, from Rawlins, Wyoming, died on Jan. 6, 2024, at the age of 84.
Russell worked as an attorney and chief counsel for ACA member company CollectionCenter Inc. for 38 years, from 1972 until his retirement in 2010.
He was a longtime active member of ACA International and a charter member of our Members’ Attorney Program. He earned ACA’s Member of the Year award twice, in 1995 and 2005. He also earned ACA’s International Fellowship of Certified Collection Executives in 1996.
He was a frequent speaker at ACA events and a popular Certified Instructor. As chair of the Interstate Committee for over a decade, he was instrumental in opening over 20 previously “closed” states to interstate collection efforts. For this, as well as other accomplishments, he was recognized with the James K. Erickson Continuous Service Award.
Russell was a nationally recognized expert in civil debt litigation and mentored a generation of civil debt litigation attorneys. He tirelessly advocated on behalf of the collection industry, maintaining personal, first-name-basis relationships with his elected legislators throughout his entire career.
He was also ACA’s first "First Man," as his wife, Linda Russell, was elected the first female president of ACA in 1991.
Both Jerry and Linda were passionate animal lovers, and helped found the Pet Partners of Carbon County, a nonprofit that worked with a local animal shelter in creating a safe environment for stray and neglected animals.
Russell is preceded in death by his daughter, Debbie Snyder. He is survived by his wife, Linda; three children, Marci, Dan and David; and several grandchildren.
Gerald K. "Jerry" Russell, from Rawlins, Wyoming, died on Jan. 6, 2024, at the age of 84.
Russell worked as an attorney and chief counsel for ACA member company CollectionCenter Inc. for 38 years, from 1972 until his retirement in 2010.
He was a longtime active member of ACA International and a charter member of our Members’ Attorney Program. He earned ACA’s Member of the Year award twice, in 1995 and 2005. He also earned ACA’s International Fellowship of Certified Collection Executives in 1996.
He was a frequent speaker at ACA events and a popular Certified Instructor. As chair of the Interstate Committee for over a decade, he was instrumental in opening over 20 previously “closed” states to interstate collection efforts. For this, as well as other accomplishments, he was recognized with the James K. Erickson Continuous Service Award.
Russell was a nationally recognized expert in civil debt litigation and mentored a generation of civil debt litigation attorneys. He tirelessly advocated on behalf of the collection industry, maintaining personal, first-name-basis relationships with his elected legislators throughout his entire career.
He was also ACA’s first "First Man," as his wife, Linda Russell, was elected the first female president of ACA in 1991.
Both Jerry and Linda were passionate animal lovers, and helped found the Pet Partners of Carbon County, a nonprofit that worked with a local animal shelter in creating a safe environment for stray and neglected animals.
Russell is preceded in death by his daughter, Debbie Snyder. He is survived by his wife, Linda; three children, Marci, Dan and David; and several grandchildren.