Joe Russell, 65, of Kingston, Oklahoma passed away the morning of October 28, 2021. Joe was born in Mountain Home, Idaho on September 27, 1956, the son of Glenn and Maxine Russell.

Joe was a graduate of Clovis High School and worked on the branding crews throughout high school and after until he moved to Arizona where he worked on the Sierra 

Bonita Ranch for Les Shannon. On December 17th of 1977 he married the love of his life, his Lori Darlin’. Soon after, they moved to White Lakes, New Mexico where he worked and managed the Buck Harvey Ranches for Laheeta Harvey. Together Joe and Lori built their life on the ranch and raised their 4 girls Heather, April, Krystal, and Jordan. 

Joe lived his life as a cowboy, his favorite memories and time of his life were here on the ranch gathering and working cattle with neighboring ranchers, friends and mentors. 

His other passion was being an entrepreneur. In 2000 he started the Moriarty Pipe and Iron Shop in Moriarty, New Mexico with his friend and business partner, Larry Irvin.

Later in life, he went on a fishing trip with his brother-in-law, Smiley Wooton and friends to Lake Texoma. He fell in love with Oklahoma and began making his plans to run cattle in the Kingston area. In August of 2021, Joe and Lori finalized their plans and moved to the ranch in Oklahoma.

Joe loved visiting with his friends and family and telling stories of his life of adventures over the years. Friends recently described him as a gentle giant, Cowboy Joe, larger than life, a mountain of a man, kind and special, a mentor and a man always admired, best friend, Papa Russell, everything a man and father should be, and a second Dad to many of his daughter’s friends. The perfect mix of love and grit.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Maxine Russell and his sister, Shawn Hadley.

He is survived by his wife, Lori Russell of Kingston, Oklahoma.  Loving dad of Heather Ann Carlile and Jimmie Carlile of Kingston, Oklahoma, April Leigh Chavez and Fernando Chavez of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Krystal Shayne Russell and Justin Parker of Kingston, Oklahoma Jordan Elizabeth Russell and Isaiah Bradford of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Proud papa of his grandkids, Mikayla Renee Russell, Jimmie J Leonard Carlile, Abbie Ann Carlile, Paige Maxine Carlile, Russell Dale Chavez, Ava Natalia Russell, Gracie Elizabeth Chavez, Myah Marie Carlile, and Austynn Anthony Bradford. Brother to his sister Shannon and her husband Smiley Wooton of Roswell, New Mexico. Jack Russell and his wife Rosa of Mertzon, Texas. Uncle to many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Friend to many.