Russell Gilbert VanBuskirk

Funeral services for Russell Gilbert VanBuskirk will be held on Friday, February 24th, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Eben Ezer Lutheran Church in Oaks, OK with Pastor Fox Blackfox and Pastor Meredith Harbor officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 23rd, 2017 at Reed-Culver Chapel beginning at 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Interment will be held at Bill Batt Cemetery in Rocky Ford Community. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Pallbearers for Russell include Jacob Foreman, Jerrid Foreman, TJ Turtle, Darrell Crittenden, Waylon Davis, Tommy Sixkiller, Chad Foreman and Dean Turtle. Honorary pallbearers include Jeffery Crawford, Esiah VanBuskirk, Blake VanBuskirk, Beckett Foreman, Baby Jake Foreman, and Draven Dew, Chris Vanbuskirk, and Carlos Adair.

Russell Gilbert VanBuskirk was born on September 12th, 1950 in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Henry Hershel and Emma Jean (Rackliff) VanBuskirk. He attended school and graduated from high school in Oaks, OK. He settled down to a happy home life with his beloved Toots. They enjoyed 25 years together. He had two sons and three daughters, Josiah, John, Chasilee, Rachel and Tanisa. Russell was a Tradition Keeper of the United Keetoowah Band. By using his talented hands, he was able to release materials from their bonds and make exquisite bone carvings, wood carvings, knives, pipes, and turtle shakers. As a child, Russell had the misfortune of having a transmission drop on his arm. The doctors felt it that he would never be able to use his arm again. However, through his belief in himself and his determination, Russell crafted and created until his passing. There wasn’t a moment that Russell wasn’t looking at an object and seeing the beauty held within. He kept the traditions of the Keetoowah people alive, and nourished them for the future generations to appreciate and admire. Russell also had a way with plants of all kinds, making beautiful landscaping with his masters touch. If you ever had the privilege of meeting Russell, you met a friend for life. He was friendly and generous to a fault. There was always room for one more at his table and he was always happy to see you!. Russell loved to go out hunting and fishing, and loved to catch crawdads. There was nothing better than to gather with those he loved around him and share a fish fry or hog fry, and spend the evening by the river, talking and telling stories. His sense of humor lasted a lifetime and he was like a kid, riding 4 wheelers with his hunting buddies, or chasing his nieces, nephews and grandkids around the yard. It was hard to tell who had the most fun, Russell or the kids! He adored his family and couldn’t wait to spend time with them. They were his best friends in the world. A Christian by faith, Russell never failed to appreciate the beauty of every living thing around him. He was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, February 21st, 2017 in Fayetteville, AR with Toots and all his loving family close by his side. He was 66 years old. Those who love him hope the rivers of the great beyond are full of crawdads and fish for Russell to chase down.

He is preceded in death by his mom, dad, and brother, Fred VanBuskirk.

Those left to cherish Russell’s memory include his loving wife, Marcella of the home in Oaks, and his children, Josiah VanBuskirk of Glenpool, OK, John Henry VanBuskirk and wife Veronica of Chewey, OK, Chasilee Crawford and husband Jason of Yellow Springs, OH, Rachel Falcon and Husband Ismael of Tahlequah, OK, and Tanisa Foreman and companion Jimmy Alarcon of Oaks, OK. He leaves one brother and three sisters, Perry VanBuskirk and wife Kathy of Moodys, OK, Linda Clinton of Rocky Ford, Bonnie Johnson of Moodys, and Donna VanBuskirk of Rocky Ford. Russell will live on in his fourteen adored grandchildren and his many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.