Donny "Don" Russell, 95, of Hartshorne, Oklahoma passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in Hartshorne, Oklahoma.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the Highbridge Cemetery near Wilburton with Pastor Zane Brooks officiating.

Don was born on July 26, 1927 to Jennings Russell and Flossie (Guthrie) Russell near Red Oak, Oklahoma.

He attended grade school at Cravens and high school at Panola and Poteau. He graduated from Poteau High School with the Class of 1945. He attended college at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton and Southeastern State University in Durant. He became a school teacher.

On January 19, 1952, Don married Wanda Jean Wilson. They were blessed with two children, a daughter: Danon Jean, and a son: Jerell Don.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, Don returned to teaching. Don was a school teacher for 25 years, teaching at High Bridge, Adamson, and Pleasant Hill in Oklahoma. He also taught at Southern Heights Elementary in Hobbs, New Mexico for 16 years.

Don became an ordained Southern Baptist minister in 1972 at the Oil Center Baptist Church in New Mexico. Later he returned to Oklahoma and pastored at Adamson Baptist Church, Kiowa Baptist Church, Thessalonian Baptist Church, Community Baptist Church, and Haileyville Baptist Church. Currently he is a member of the First Baptist Church of Hartshorne.

Don also served as Chaplain at the McAlester Regional Health Center for 6 years. He loved visiting the patients and continued to do so for the rest of his life. He also visited nursing home patients faithfully in both Pittsburg and Latimer counties. He spent many hours with the lonely, the sick, and the homebound. He would spend many hours calling and encouraging people, not only in this area, but across the United States. He was a great encourager and prayer warrior.

Don is preceded in death by his parents: Jennings Russell and Flossie (Guthrie) Russell Chaudoin; and his daughter: Danon Jean Hammond.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years: Wanda Jean (Wilson) Russell of the home; his son: Jerry Russell and wife, Mindy of Norman; his son-in-law: David Hammond of wife, Vanessa of Muskogee; his granddaughters: Laura Hulse and husband, Ray of West Jordan, Utah, Amanda Brown and husband, Andy of Branson, Missouri; Bethany Sipe and husband, Phillip of Norman; and Allison Russell of Oklahoma City; eight great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and other family and friends.