Russell Alan Eldridge, II

Services for Russell Alan Eldridge, II, 31, of Heber City, Utah, who died on Sunday, August 28, 2011, as the result of a motorcycle accident, will be at 10 a.m. Friday, September 2, 2011 at Laird Funeral Home Chapel in Natchez, Mississippi with the Rev. Ed Wright officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7p.m. Thursday, September 1 at the funeral home.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Alan was born August 18, 1980, in Houston, Texas to Russell “Rusty” Alan Eldridge and Mary Ellen Wilkins Eldridge.

Alan graduated in 1998 from Southside High School in Southside, Alabama. He was also a 2004 graduate of Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He was employed with OK3Air in Heber City, Utah.

Having grown up in several states of the southern United States, Alan never met a stranger. His quick wit, charming personality, and engaging smile made him many, many friends along the way, some who remained life-long friends even over vast distances. Always ready for new adventures and challenges, Alan’s interests included snow sports, hiking, traveling, and flying. He had vigorously pursued and achieved his pilot’s license and delighted in taking friends sightseeing over the mountains and canyons of Utah. While these hobbies amused and intrigued him, Alan’s personal passion and life-mission was animal care and safety, and lending a helping hand to his fellow man.

Eldridge was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ben and Margie Wilkins. and a cousin, Matt Therrell.

Alan is survived by his parents, Rusty and Mary Ellen Eldridge of Natchez, MS; his fiance’, Melissa Young of Heber City, Utah; brother, Adam Eldridge and his sister-in-law, Dr. Stephanie Barnes of Franklin, TN; sister, Mallory Eldridge of Natchez, MS; paternal grandparents, Herman and Joyce Eldridge of Natchez, MS; aunts, Janis Holder, and her husband Rodney of Natchez, MS, and Cathy Dumal of Gulfport, MS; uncle, Ricky Wilkins and his wife Donna of Seminary, MS. and a host of cousins.

Pallbearers will be Adam Eldridge, Devin Lawrence, J. J. Peek, Joey Geter, Michael Petty, and Ryan Wingfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, c/o Linda Tiraman, 520 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018; or to his favorite local chapter at SPCA of TN, P.O. Box 1014, Brentwood, TN 37024-1014. Additional information may be obtained by contacting 1-800-628-0028, spcatn.org/donate, or donate.aspca.org.

On-line condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com