Benjamin Russell, known across the Lake Martin community as “Mr. Ben,” and founder of Children’s Harbor, died early Thursday morning, according to Russell Lands CEO David Sturdivant and The Outlook. Russell’s passing marks a significant loss for the Lake Martin region.

“You could exhaust your adjectives (on him),” Alexander City Mayor Mike Densmore said. “Entrepreneurial, genius, comical, philosophical, spiritual — you could exhaust your adjectives.”

Born Jan. 18, 1938, in Alexander City, Russell attended the University of Alabama before beginning his career with the family-founded Russell Corporation. He later became president of Russell Lands in 1970, helping grow the company into a major force in real estate, timber and recreation across the Lake Martin region.

Russell was widely known for his philanthropy. In 1989, he and his wife, Luanne, founded Children’s Harbor, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening children and families facing serious health challenges.

In 2008, the Russells donated $25 million to Children’s of Alabama, leading to the construction of the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children, which opened in 2012.

More recently, the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care opened in 2024 at Russell Medical.

Russell’s legacy spans decades of business leadership and charitable work, particularly in support of children and families across Alabama.