Life Before the War
Russell Lowell Grossnickle Jr. was born on June 14, 1922. His parents were Russell L. Grossnickle Sr. (Dec. 10, 1894 - May 15, 1989) and Jessie Linda King Grossnickle (October 4, 1893 - June 6, 1983). Russell Jr. grew up in Columbus, Mississippi with his four siblings: Jessie Elizabeth Grossnickle Farber (September 16, 1920 - January 5, 2013), Frances L. Grossnickle Schmitz (August 8, 1923 - March 4, 2003), Dr. James Walter Grossnickle (December 12, 1929 - July 11, 2016), and Bonnie Jean Grossnickle McLaughlin (born September 16, 1934 - unknown death date).
During their childhood, the Grossnickle children were brilliant students and extraordinary tennis players. Jessie, the oldest of the Grossnickle siblings, was ranked 1st in the South, 13th nationally, and 10th nationally in doubles with Frances. Before enlisting in the war, Russell Jr. attended Mississippi State University. Frances was a state math champion and also ranked 10th nationally in doubles with Jessie. James was also a nationally recognized tennis player. At the age of seventeen, James enrolled in Northwestern Medical School, making him the youngest person to attend the school in its history.
During their childhood, the Grossnickle children were brilliant students and extraordinary tennis players. Jessie, the oldest of the Grossnickle siblings, was ranked 1st in the South, 13th nationally, and 10th nationally in doubles with Frances. Before enlisting in the war, Russell Jr. attended Mississippi State University. Frances was a state math champion and also ranked 10th nationally in doubles with Jessie. James was also a nationally recognized tennis player. At the age of seventeen, James enrolled in Northwestern Medical School, making him the youngest person to attend the school in its history.