Micheal Ray Russell

Micheal Ray Russell was born in Nacogdoches Texas on March 28th 1953 to Herman Peyton Russell and Bonnie Geraldine Parker Russell. He was the oldest of his siblings; Johnny, Ricky, Sharon, Rex, and Angela Russell. Mike worked hard helping his parents and their large family. He became quite independent and responsible at a young age, hauling hay and working in chicken houses.

Mike graduated from Central Heights High School in 1971 and met his beloved wife, Donna, his senior year. In March 1975 he married Donna Dawson and started what ended up being a 51-year loving union together. They were blessed with two sons, Micheal Luke Russell born February 23rd 1979, and Danny Evan Russell born February 26th 1982. In August 1998 he was blessed with an honorary third son when he and Donna opened their home to Linus Eichhorn, an exchange student from Germany and he has been part of the family ever since.

In 1975 Mike began an intense, yet rewarding 30 year long career as a firefighter in the Nacogdoches Fire Department. Despite his dangerous line of work, Mike stayed strong in his faith and helped many people with his bravery and compassion, all the while forming strong bonds with his fellow firefighters. In 2003 he was a part of the space shuttle recovery crew after the tragic explosion of the Columbia shuttle and he served many years volunteering with the Linn Flat Volunteer Fire Department. On his days off from the fire department Mike still stayed busy by working for his dad’s propane business and a variety of other jobs. After Mike’s retirement from the fire department, he was in the cattle business with Tony Dawson for 20 years.

Mike’s faith in God was central to his life, his marriage, and his family. He served as an elder and a trustee at Trawick Presbyterian Church. He attended church regularly and started a Men’s Breakfast Bible Study and Fellowship group open to anyone in the community regardless of church affiliation. He also volunteered to mow the church yard for many years and helped keep up the church property.

Mike’s favorite thing was spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed frying catfish and barbequing brisket for get-togethers with loved ones. He had many eventful, fond memories of the Neill fishing trip and was able to share those experiences with his son Luke. He also enjoyed watching his son Danny play basketball and continued cheering on not only his sons, but his nieces, nephews, and eventually his grandsons and great nieces and nephews. He was the biggest fan of the love of his life, Donna. She considered Mike the “wind beneath her wings” at every marathon she ran, knowing he was cheering her on every time her feet hit the ground. After Donna’s retirement, she and Mike enjoyed spending more time together and taking camping trips in their RV.

Mike Russell was a wonderful, loving man. He was a man of faith and lived his life in service to his family and community. May the memories we have, and share bring us comfort as we continue our time here without him. Even though he will be greatly missed, we celebrate his life and his rebirth with our Lord in Heaven.

Mike is survived by; his loving wife Donna Russell; his sons and their wives: Luke and Erin, Danny and Sarah; his 5 cherished grandsons: Grady, Case, Alden, Mack, and Rhett; sisters Sharon Amonett and Angela Russell; brothers and wives: Rex and Tammy, Ricky and Briann, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Geraldine; brother Johnny; brother-in-law Carl Amonett; sister-in-law Cherri, and niece Brandi.

The visitation will be held on Friday, May 29th at Cason Monk Funeral home from 5-7pm. The funeral service will be at Trawick Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 30th at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Trawick Presbyterian Church.