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