Russell Mote

Born again by his confession of faith in Jesus Christ, Russell C. Mote, age 94 passion to his eternal glory with the Lord on July 24, 2012. He was born June 13, 1918 in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School and attended Drake University, transferring his sophomore year to the University of Iowa.

Russell left the University his junior year to join the Air Force Cadet Training Program and later graduated from the Air Force Officer Training with the rank of Lieutenant. He served as ground officer in the U.S. and later in the China Command; being honorably discharged after four and one half years with the rank of Captain.

He chose the Florist Business for a career and owned and operated his own store ”Flowers by Russell Mote” in Ottumwa, Iowa for twenty five years. He served on many committees and as president of the Society of Iowa Florists for one term. He was member of the first Lutheran Church on Ottumwa.

At age 55 Russell received Jesus Christ into his life and believed that he was being called to serve The Lord. He immediately chose to sell his business and joined the full time staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, where he served for fifteen years. His most rewarding experience was in New York City where he served for eight years with the “Here’s Life Greater New York Team.” Russell was married to Mary Jane Amend (now deceased) of Des Moines Iowa and from that union were born two daughters: Michele Amon (husband Paul) and Pamela Greer (husband Jim Greer) and their son Matthew (Russ’ only grandchild who was greatly loved). Russell was loved by many nieces and nephews.

Russell was later married to Ruth Smillie (now deceased) of New York City, who served faithfully along side of him with Campus Crusade for Christ. On May 16, 1998, he married the former Jean Nelson who survives him.

Russell always served well in the churches he attended and was associated with the Christian Missionary and Alliance Churches in the cities where he resided. He had a great burden to help reach the world for Christ and shared his faith generously. He and Jean were members of The Hyde Park Baptist Church.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Friday, the 27th of July 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

Services will be held at Cook-Walden Funeral home two o’ clock Sunday, the 29th of 2012 with Pastor Jeff Loomis officiating. There will be a graveside service at the Indian-Town Gap Memorial Cemetery in Indian Gap, Pennsylvania.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.