Russell Duane Oden

Russ attended school in Cherokee County and graduated from Gallitan I.S.D. in 1953. He entered the United States Air Force in September 1954. He served in France for 34 months and 12 days before being honorably discharged in 1959. Russ enrolled in Sam Houston University in Huntsville in September of 1958. In December of that same year he married Mildred Jo Rice of Alto, the love of his life. They shared 59 years together. Russ rode and trained horses while in college and graduated in February 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business. Russ and his family moved to Tyler in February of 1962 and he worked at Southside Bank from 1962 until becoming a faculty member at Tyler Junior College in 1968. He was also a Professional Rodeo Announcer for 22 years and worked in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Russ was an ordained Deacon at Calvary Baptist Church. He served there many years, as well as at Westwood Baptist Church and taught Adult Sunday School for 48 years.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred Jo Oden of Tyler; son, Johnny and his wife Suzie Oden of Tyler; daughter, Brenda Oden of Tyler; sister, M. Denan Oden Easter and her husband, V.R. "Butch" Easter of Pineville, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Shannon, Molly, Johnny, Jr. and Holly.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, Monday at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home and funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Tuesday at Westwood Baptist Church, 820 N.N.W. Loop 323, Tyler. Interment will follow at Corrine Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Oden, Jr., Allen Easter, Calvin Easter, Eddie Easter, Butch Easter, Hayden Moore and Bill Turman. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Second Mile Sunday School Class.

Arrangements under the direction of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, Tyler, Texas.