|
| |
Joe “Mike” Russell, Jr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on October 18, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 59 years, 10 months, and 7 days. Born on December 11, 1964, in Claremore, Oklahoma, to Mary Evalyn (Downing) and Joe Russell, Sr., Mike spent his early years in Gentry, Arkansas, where he attended school.
Known as “Mike” to many family members and friends, he also lived in Tulsa for some time before making his home in Bixby in 2000. He and Tammy Delores Reed were united in marriage on November 7, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The couple had shared more than 20 years of companionship and love, building a life filled with cherished memories.
Joe was a hard worker for his family. As a young man, he worked at Wildlife Safari in Gentry, Arkansas, before moving on to jobs in tree services and as a department manager at WalMart, a position he held from 1997 to 2010. Most recently, he found deep fulfillment working as a janitor for Bixby Public Schools, where he was loved by both his coworkers and the students.
Outside of work, Joe was a man of many passions. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and attending garage sales. He was a builder of model cars, a maker of dreamcatchers, and a proud collector of cars, knives, and Native American memorabilia, particularly anything featuring wolves or painted horses. His stoic, quiet strength and kind heart made him a welcoming presence to all, and his sense of humor showed that he never met a stranger. At the heart of Joe’s life was his family. He was a devoted family man, always putting his loved ones first, especially his grandchildren, who held a special place in his heart. His absence will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.
Joe is survived by: His wife, Tammy, of the home; 11 children: Samantha Russell and Jamie Fultz of Bixby, Oklahoma, Dakota Russell and wife Allyson of Bixby, Oklahoma, Marci Russell of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Cortney Thomas and husband Russell of Oklmulgee, Oklahoma, Haley Culbert and husband Brandon of Mounds, Oklahoma, Jennifer Jones and husband Austin of Wagoner, Oklahoma, Kolby Brese and fiancé` Aubree of Bixby, Oklahoma, MaryJane Russell of Bixby, Oklahoma, Adasia Green of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Brad Cochran of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Josh Russell of Bixby, Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren: Lindsey Fultz, Brannon Fultz, Kaden Snow, Russell Thomas III, Pyper Russell-Fultz, Katelynn Culbert, Cooper Fultz, Paislee Thomas, Rylee Russell, Kennedey Culbert, and Gary Culbert; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; 4 sisters: Julie, Jeanell, Pam, & Cindy; 1 brother: Porter.
A memorial service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Locust Grove Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Brother Eddie Stallings. Cremation services are entrusted to Locust Grove Funeral Home. Please feel free to share your memories and condolences at www.LocustGroveFuneralHome.com.
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2024 Oklahoma CemeteriesThe information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.