SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 57
In Memory
of
Rusty Russell
WHEREAS, A life dedicated to serving his community and his
nation drew to a close with the death of Earl Leslie Russell III
of Gainesville on July 20, 2022, at the age of 78; and
WHEREAS, "Rusty" Russell was born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma,
on January 25, 1944, to Earl and Laura Russell and grew up with
two siblings, Robert and Jane; he was an Eagle Scout, and he
served in the ROTC program from middle school through college;
after graduating from Fort Hays State University, he was
commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and he
served two tours of duty in Vietnam as an army pilot, flying
reconnaissance and artillery spotting missions; his
commendations included the Distinguished Flying Cross with one
oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf
cluster, and two Cross of Gallantry medals with silver star; he
was honorably discharged in 1975 at the rank of major; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Russell met his wife, Jan, on a blind date,
and the couple were married in 1966 and were eventually blessed
with a son, Lee; they opened a real estate firm in Manhattan,
Kansas, and in 1982, they settled in Gainesville, where
Mr. Russell worked for a quarter century with the financial firm
of Edward Jones; a leader in his community, he sat on the boards
of the Gainesville Municipal Airport, the North Texas Medical
Center, the First United Methodist Church, the State Bar of Texas
Professional Ethics Committee, and the Boy Scouts of America
Longhorn Council; he was a Past Master with Gainesville Masonic
Lodge No. 210 and a lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts, serving
for many years as leader of Troop 668 in Gainesville; and
WHEREAS, Rusty Russell lived a rich and purposeful life
devoted to his loved ones, his community, and his nation, and he
leaves behind a record of service that his loved ones can
remember with pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Earl Leslie
Russell III and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his wife of 55 years, Janice Kay Russell; to his son,
Earl Leslie Russell IV; to his siblings, Robert Russell and his
wife, Pam, and Jane McMurray and her husband, Brad; to his
brother-in-law, John Klusener, and sister-in-law, Laura
Klusener; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Rusty Russell.
Springer
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 24, 2023, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate