Harold E. Russell's Obituary
Our earthly Father went home to be with our Heavenly Father.
Harold E. Russell, 89, of Longview died Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, at Buckner
Westminster Place in Longview, TX. A memorial service for his family will be held at a later date.
Harold was born May 30, 1931, in Hydro, OK to John and Luella Russell. He
married Marilyn (Glass) on Nov. 25, 1953 and they remained together until her death in 2001, raising seven kids as well as numerous foster children. A graduate of Hydro High School and Southwestern Oklahoma State University, he was a veteran of the Korean War. He taught and coached in high school in Oklahoma before moving his family to Rome, New York, where he worked for the Department of Defense for more than 30 years at Griffiss Air Force Base until his retirement in 1994.
Harold and Marilyn had four children of their own and over the years took care of more than 20 foster children -- three of whom they later adopted. He was an active partner in the parenting as his wife often worked nights at various hospitals. The family traveled all over the United States with Harold doing a majority of the driving of station wagons, sometimes pulling a trailer sometimes not, as well as mini and full-sized motor homes. Their vacations took them north to Maine; south to Florida; west to Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma; and most of the states in between. The family also skied together for many years, although he and Marilyn were late starters to the sport. No matter where he lived, he had a workshop where he made things for his kids, grandkids and great grandkids, as well as for friends.
Harold was a good and faithful servant to his God, serving as an elder at both the Rome Church of Christ and the Alpine Church of Christ in Longview. He was on the board of directors for Camp Hunt and was a constant volunteer using his handyman skills to help keep it open. He and Marilyn were also member of Sojourners, a church affiliated group of retirees who traveled around the country in their motorhomes to various congregations, church camps, children's homes and schools, putting their construction skills to use to help the organizations.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wives Marilyn and Shirley (Peavey); his brother, Robert Russell; and his sister, Faye Wells.
He is survived by wife June (Capshaw) Russell; daughter Kim Collier and her husband Russ of Aledo, Texas; daughter Kay Dade and her husband Mike of McKinney, Texas; son J. Scott Russell of Carthage, Texas; son Kevin Russell and his wife Deborah of Castle Rock, Colorado; son John Russell of Albany, New York; daughter Denise Ducatte and her husband Robert of Albany, New York; son Andrew Russell and his wife Tina of Wautoma, Wisconsin; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to some of his
favorite charities: Camp Hunt (P.O. Box 2358, Liverpool, New York, 13089),
Sunny Glen Children's Home in San Benito, Texas.
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