Martin Russo's Obituary
Sunoco Geologist Dead at 101 Martin Russo of Dallas, Texas died Monday, June 15, 2015, just a few months short of his 102nd birthday. Martin, “Mike” Russo was born in Denison, Texas, August 26, 1913 to D.A. (Tony) Russo and Francesca Giarraputo. He graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BS in Geology in 1936 and completed graduate work at Louisiana State University. He joined Sun Oil Company in 1937 during the Texas oil industry’s transformative years. He remained active in the oil business for the next half century, retiring in 1983 with more than 46 years with Sunoco. When Martin was not actively engaged as a geologist, he enjoyed traveling globally, tending to his prolific gardenia plants, hanging Christmas lights, or grooming his terraced creek side backyard. He was also an avid bird hunter. He was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Dallas Geological Society, and the Society of Independent Petroleum Earth Scientists. He was a long-time parishioner and vestryman of Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Dallas. Martin is predeceased by his parents; his first wife, JL (Johnnie Lee) Russo who died in 1974; and his second wife, Helen Atchley Gambulos Russo, who died in 2013. He is survived by step-son, James C. Gambulos (Dallas), and cousins: Antoinette Alfieri Carr (Little Rock, AR) James Alfieri, Janet Tomaso Riley, John Tomaso, Paul Tomaso, Joan Tomaso Sigman, Linda Claytor, Carolyn Sasser Roeder, and Connie Sasser Watson all of Dallas. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Friday, June 19, 2015 at Restland Funeral Home. A Sung Mass of Requiem and Commendation will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, 4053 Herschel Avenue at Douglas, Dallas, TX at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 20, 2015, Father Will Brown, Officiating. Committal will follow at Restland Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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