December 16, 1945 –  June 1, 2012  WHITESBORO â?? Funeral services for Joe Richard Russell, 66, will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Whitesboro, Texas with Rev. Mike Flanagan officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Van Alstyne Cemetery in Van Alstyne, Texas. All services are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home in Whitesboro, Texas. Family visitation will be Monday, June 4, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.He passed away on Friday, June 01, 2012, in Denison, Texas.
Joe was born on December 16, 1945, to Authur Fred â??Stumpâ? and Mary (Grissom) Russell in Van Alstyne, Texas. He married Donna Jenkins on June 5, 1971 in Van Alstyne. He was a graduate of East Texas State University which is now known as Texas A & M Commerce. He taught school for 30 years, retired, and then resumed teaching. He taught in the Whitesboro, S&S, and Van Alstyne school systems. He was an honorary Chapter Farmer and a member of the Retired Teachers Association. He loved his grandbabies. Throughout his life, he never met a stranger. He always had a soft spot in his heart for the underdog and the down-trodden.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Russell, of Whitesboro, TX; sons: Jory Russell and wife, Maria Cristina of Tyler, TX; Joel Russell and wife, Kacy, of Whitesboro, TX; daughter: Jamie Molder and husband, Nic, of San Marcus, CA; grandchildren: Reid, Rylee, Ryder, Jordan, Jonah, and Julia Russell; Cohen and Jensen Molder; brother, Jack Russell and wife, Doris, of Grand Prairie, TX; sisters: Guana Pierson, of Sherman, TX; and Frances Rutledge and husband, Obie, of Bells, TX; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Authur â??Stumpâ? and Mary Russell; brothers: Bro. D. Rudloph Russell and H. Birt Russell.
Pallbearers will be David Russell, Doug Flanery, Jerry Langford, Steve Langford, Jerry Roberts and Jack Boston.