SLS 16RS-59 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 8
BY SENATOR JOHNS
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Russell J. Stutes Sr.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of Russell J. Stutes Sr.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the citizens of Louisiana
5 learned of the death of Russell J. Stutes Sr. on December 22, 2015; and
6 WHEREAS, Russell Joseph Stutes Sr. was born in Crowley on January 9, 1938, to
7 Rena and Horace Stutes; and
8 WHEREAS, he graduated from high school in Crowley in 1955 and attended one
9 semester at Southwest Louisiana Institute; and
10 WHEREAS, in 1956, Mr. Stutes' mother became gravely ill and he withdrew from
11 college and traveled to Lake Charles to pursue employment; and
12 WHEREAS, after arriving in Lake Charles, he soon met and fell in love with the
13 wonderful woman he would ask to be his wife, Sharon Bennett; and
14 WHEREAS, they were married on February 20, 1957, and their children, Lisa,
15 Christi, Rusty, and Leslie, were born from their union and made their family complete; and
16 WHEREAS, in 1959, as a young husband and father, Mr. Stutes began working as
17 an operator for Cities Services, and in the early 1960s, he discovered an unexpected career
18 as a carpenter when a coworker suggested a way to supplement his income; and
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1 WHEREAS, by the early 1970s, he was working two full-time jobs as an operator
2 on the graveyard shift and as a contractor during the day; and
3 WHEREAS, Mr. Stutes continued working two jobs until 1980 when family and
4 friends convinced him to focus solely on custom construction, and by the mid-1980s, the
5 product of his craft resulted in "Russell Stutes" being synonymous with superior
6 construction; and
7 WHEREAS, he treasured and remained ever loyal to his vendors, employees, and
8 customers, and his passion and joy for exceptional craftsmanship is on display in thousands
9 of homes throughout southwest Louisiana; and
10 WHEREAS, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved spending quality time
11 with his extended family and friends; and
12 WHEREAS, Mr. Stutes was proud of his Catholic upbringing and sent his children
13 and grandchildren to Catholic school; and
14 WHEREAS, Mr. Stutes is survived by his devoted and loving wife of fifty-nine
15 years, Sharon "Cissy" Gayle Bennett Stutes; four children, Evelyn "Lisa" Stutes, Christina
16 "Christi" Clark, Russell "Rusty" J. Stutes Jr., and Leslie Milligan; twelve grandchildren,
17 Elisabeth Landry, Stacy Pierson, Laura Roth, Megan Cannon, Haley Clark, Russ Stutes,
18 Louis Stutes, Alexandra Stutes, Abbie Grace Milligan, Gus Milligan, Hank Milligan, and
19 Mary-Elise Milligan; a sister, Linda Kate Laurents; and eleven great-grandchildren; and
20 WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, Rena and Horace Stutes; and
21 one sister, Mary Stutes Nunez; and
22 WHEREAS, with the death of Russell J. Stutes Sr., Louisiana has lost one of its
23 finest sons, a quintessential southern gentleman who loved his community and whose
24 accomplishments have left an indelible mark upon his community and state; and
25 WHEREAS, his death has left a substantial void in the Crowley community and a
26 sense of loss in the citizens whose lives he touched, and his memory shall live forever in the
27 minds and hearts of all those who knew and loved this remarkable gentleman.
28 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
29 does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Russell J. Stutes Sr.,
30 records for posterity his outstanding achievements, and extends enduring appreciation for
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1 the tremendous pride and honor that he will forever bring to his community and to the state
2 of Louisiana.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
4 family of Russell J. Stutes Sr.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Nancy Vicknair.
DIGEST
SR 8 Original 2016 Regular Session Johns
Expresses condolences upon the death of Russell J. Stutes Sr.
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