Russ Pawlas, 42, whose passion for music education and infectious energy inspired countless students, passed away suddenly on December 2, 2025, in Lynchburg, Virginia. His life was defined by boundless enthusiasm, mentorship, and a devotion to building community through music.
A native of Roanoke, Mr. Pawlas graduated from Hidden Valley High School before earning his bachelor’s degree in music education from James Madison University and a master’s in conducting from Virginia Commonwealth University. For the past 18 years he taught band in Bedford and Campbell Counties, most recently leading the award‑winning Jefferson Forest High School marching and concert bands to consistent superior ratings.
Known across the region for his quick wit and joyful spirit, Mr. Pawlas transformed every rehearsal into an event and every performance trip into a memory. Students and colleagues fondly recall his legendary “party bus” rides during All‑District Band weekends, complete with playlists, dad jokes, and an open invitation for anyone to take the auxiliary percussion feature.
Mr. Pawlas shared a joyful home in Forest with his wife of 15 years, Sarah, a fellow music educator, and their two young sons who already knew every fight song by heart. Weekends often found the family at E.C. Glass or Heritage football games, where he happily lent a hand in the pit or stands whenever an extra set of ears was needed.
Beyond the podium, Mr. Pawlas served on the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association events committee and mentored first‑year teachers with the same patience he showed middle school clarinetists learning their first scales. His sudden loss has prompted an outpouring of support from former students now scattered across college music programs nationwide.
A celebration of Mr. Pawlas’s life and music will be held Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, featuring performances by combined Brookville and Jefferson Forest ensembles.
Russ Pawlas will be remembered for his humor, his mentorship, and the joy he brought to every rehearsal and performance.
