TITLE: In memory of Earl Leslie Russell III of Gainesville.

SUMMARY: In memory of Earl Leslie Russell III of Gainesville.

FULL TEXT:
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 88th Texas 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.