Johnny Lynn Russell

Memorial services for Johnny Lynn “John” Russell will be held 2:00PM, Monday, August 2, 2021, at the Hale’s Memorial Chapel in Sulphur with Reverend Fred Bailey officiating.

John was born August 19, 1950, in Perryton, TX, to the late George and Minnie (Taylor) Russell. He died Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Sulphur, at the age of 70 years, 11 months and 3 days. John and the former Ms. Shelley Fay Joyner were married on December 29, 1979, in Cook County, TX. She preceded him in death on June 4, 2020.

John grew up in the Cherokee, OK area. Following high school, he spent several years working in the oil field, prior to he and Shelley moving to Sulphur, where he worked building cabinets for Nye’s Cabinet Shop. In 1986, John began working for C.D. Brown Construction of Sulphur as a heavy equipment operator. In 1989, he became one of the first directional boring operators in the industry. John was a very dedicated employee to Browns for some 29 years prior to his retirement in 2015.

In his spare time, he enjoyed watching television and spending time with his family. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed racing cars himself.

Survivors three children, daughter, Heather Beam of Sulphur; son, Jimmy Dean Russell & wife Annie of Sulphur and daughter, Janea Rice & husband John of Kansas; father-in-law, Larry Langeberg of Sulphur; two adopted children, Joseph and Stevie Dean; eleven grandchildren, James “Bubba” Russell, Hannah Russell, Harlie Russell, Resen Beam, Isaiah Simmons, Ransom Beam, Scott Rice, Brent Rice, Jayston Rice, Jaymond Rice and Jayda Rice; two great-grandchildren, Scottlynn Beam and Daniel Russell; two sisters, Linda Russell of Burlington, OK and Carolyn Bond of Wichita, KS; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, including special nephew Joe Dean.

In addition to his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by one grandson, Rally Scott Beam; and nine siblings, Albert Russell, Milford Russell, Samual Russell, George Carroll Russell, Dovie Slovacek, Helen Batman, Doris June, Minnie Batman and Cotey Horn.