Russell Allen Wyatt
Nov 28, 1935 - Jul 28, 2015
Posted by: Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Russell Allen Wyatt was born Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1935.  He died July 28, 2015.  He was born in Moore, Oklahoma to Russell Floyd Wyatt and Rosa Allen Whitten Wyatt. 

He was preceded in death by both parents, a sister Anita Jean Wyatt , a daughter Pamela Kaye Wyatt, and a son-in law Larry McKenzie.

He is survived by his wife , Frances Jane Wheeler Wyatt; son David and wife Darla; daughter Cynthia and husband Harvey Sparkman; son Stephen and wife Melanie; and daughter Lisa.  There are eight grandchildren; Brett Stephens and wife Kiera;  Tyler Stephens and wife Kelli; Maggie Wyatt; Ryan Sparkman; Evan Sparkman; Carson Sparkman; Dylan Sparkman; Mariah McCloskey and husband Mike.
There are four great-grandchildren;  Makenna Stephens, Jack Stephens, Marleigh McCloskey and Rylan Stephens.

Russell attended Moore High school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July, 1953.  He was honorably discharged in July, 1956 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.  While attending college he played semi-pro baseball in Noble Oklahoma as a catcher.  He graduated with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in the summer of 1961 and went to work in Rochester, Minnesota for IBM.   He was assigned to support computer operations for IBM’s largest customer, Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Oklahoma City .  He was soon drafted by Southwestern Bell to work for them as a manager throughout Oklahoma.
He worked for the Bell Telephone System for 25 years, retiring May, 1990. During that time he lived and worked in Weatherford, Duncan, Shawnee, Oklahoma City,  Enid , and Lawton.  In 1978 he was under contract with American Bell International to work in Tehran, Iran.  In late 1989 and early 1990 he worked for VITELCO  in the Virgin Islands to restore telephone service after Hurricane Hugo hit the islands.
He was instrumental in organizing the Moore Junior Sports association and served as president in 1970.  He coached baseball and football little league teams from Sky Ranch Elementary and football from Kingsgate Elementary.
After retiring Russell bought 80 acres in McClain County; built a home, hangar, and airstrip. He raised wheat and cattle, flew every day, and provided a fun place for his grandchildren to visit.  He was an avid bird hunter and loved taking his children and grandchildren to the lake.
On the morning of January 28, 1972, Russell was traveling on I-35 and witnessed an accident between a semi-trailer and a milk truck.  He covered the semi  driver with his overcoat and went to aid the driver of the milk truck which was on fire.  He poured milk on the driver of the milk truck until emergency vehicles arrived.  He was awarded the Theodore N. Vail Medal for saving a man’s life because of his “perseverance and courageous action”.

The family would like to thank the Norman Veterans Center and Integris Hospice for their exceptional professional care.  In lieu of flowers, the family  asks that you make a donation to Integris Hospice, Inc.  4334 NW Expressway, Suite 106, Oklahoma City, OK 73116-1515.

Visitation for Russell will be 12:00PM-8:00PM, Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at Havenbrook Funeral Home and will continue on Thursday from 8:00AM-1:30PM. Services are 2:00PM, Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Havenbrook Funeral Home Chapel. Condolences may be shared at www.HavenbrookFuneralHome.com

Thank You For Your Service!