Leon Russell's Obituary
Leon Woods Russell, 90, resident of Keller, TX, passed away July 18, 2019 peacefully in his home with loved ones by his side. He was born November 14, 1928 in Cooke County, TX the first child of Ruel and Sibyl Russell in the tiny community of Woodbine. His parents, made their home there during the depths of the Great Depression, living in a small one-room cabin, built from local available tree lumber. The Russell family struggled to survive on sustenance farming, gardening and occasional day labor, which the memory of forever impacted Leon and formed the foundation for his robust work ethic, tireless drive and focus. This was later appreciated and recognized in his Army military service, career in the business world of insurance at Underwriters Adjusting Company (UAC), volunteer work at Trinity Lutheran Church Dallas, and as a life member of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States in leadership positions at the local and state level.He completed primary school in Woodbine, TX. His high schools were in Gainesville, TX and Thackerville, OK. Staying close to his roots, Leon, known as LW, remained steadfast friends with his Thackerville, OK 1946 graduation class of 12 students.While only 17, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps with several high school friends. After serving four years active duty, and 16 years active reserve duty, he retired from the Army as Chief Warrant Officer, Ballistic Meteorology.Leon’s UAC career began in 1955 in Wichita Falls, TX which took him from the oil fields of Electra and Burkburnett, TX to every part of the US and Canada and even to examine the performance of some companies doing business at Lloyds in London. Other accomplishments included directing all claims activities in the Southwest, and later his Southern Region group of companies, and managing a performance and audit program for claims operation company-wide. Those at UAC who were the recipients of his sage advice, analytical skills, and management fairness remained his dear friends for the 30 years after his 1990 retirement.He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Midwestern University in 1958, and while a student there met and married Jean, his wife of 56 years. Three children were the result of this union. Determined to see that his children be exposed to travel and enjoy nature as he, as a family they camped at most all of the US State and National Parks and deep into the interior of Mexico.Summers were spent camping, boating and water skiing and all his children were taught to ski by the age of five. Numerous children and adult friends were also included and skillfully taught as well. Other passions included flying and piloting his Cessna airplane, study of ancient cultures, and fossil and artifact hunting.A deep thinker and observer of human rights injustices, Leon was coined the “Keller Agitator” for his work in 2007, when he brought about the first Great Hanging Commemoration, ignored and sorely overdue, in Gainesville, TX, which honored the 42 men lynched in 1862 in the largest mass hanging in US history. This accomplishment came after having suffered a catastrophic stroke two years prior. His efforts bolstered the soon thereafter formation of the non-profit Great Hanging Memorial Foundation which serves to commemorate and educate about the lives lost during a terrible and difficult time in US history.Leon’s appreciation for music was diverse and he found guitar pickers fascinating, and none more so than his loyal and talented friend, Randy Floyd, who plays just like he always wanted to and who patiently taught Leon all the old songs he loved.His profound love of country was never more evident in his prepared instructions, intended for his eventual passing, expressed as “I depart without regrets, without apology, and in anticipation of the hereafter. I am fortunate to have lived in the only country in the world that offers hope to a world in chaos. I owe whatever success I have to America, the country that allowed a skinny kid from Woodbine to realize a full life during a time when life was cheap for so many millions.”He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; father, Ruel Russell; mother, Sibyl Orsburn Russell; his brothers, Ruel Douglas, Allen Roy, John Clifford, and sister, Vera Mae Tucker Wilmeth.Leon is survived by children, Randy and his dearest Diana, Gayla, Farley and his only grandson, Chad; and youngest sister, Janice Turner, as well as appreciated nieces, nephews, extended family and loyal friends.Family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Restland Funeral Home from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Service with military honors will be held Thursday, July 25, 2019 at noon at Restland Funeral Home at The Abbey Chapel.Please consider a donation in Leon’s name to: Great Hanging Memorial Foundation, PO Box 461, Valley View, TX 76262.Interment: Restland Cemetery.
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