ZAVELLA, Texas — Jerry C. Russell, 73, of Zavella, Texas, a former Parsons resident, died on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, in Lufkin, Texas.

He was born May 12, 1938, in Fort Scott to Claude and Gertrude Russell. He grew up in Parsons and graduated from Parsons High School in 1956. He attended and graduated from Phillips University in Enid, Okla. While living in Parsons he was a member of the Central Avenue Christian church. He lived in Pittsburg many years and was employed by Blue Cross-Blue Shield. He moved to Texas in 1980 and worked as a restaurant manager until his retirement. He retired in Zavalla, on Lake Sam Rayburn, to enjoy his lifelong love of fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Russell of the home; a stepmother, Leona Russell of Parsons; a daughter, Gail Russell Stafford and her husband, Bret, of Belton, Texas; two sons, Steve Russell and his wife, Della, of Henderson, Texas, and Jeff Russell and his wife, Shantel, of Gladewater, Texas; two stepdaughters, Mandy Hesse of Henderson, Texas, and Jenny Green and her husband, Nick, of Mount Enterprise, Texas; two stepsons, Kenneth Hughes and his wife, Jenny, of San Antonio, Texas, and Chris "Red" Hughes of Forney, Texas; two stepbrothers, Fred Moody and his wife, Jana, of Benbrook, Texas, and Jim Moody of Wichita; two stepsisters, Phyllis Moody of Hillsborough, N.C., and Jeri Miorandi and her husband, Gary, of Pittsburg; and grandchildren, Robyn Paiz and her husband, Sam, John DeLao and his wife, Carolyn, Shane and Trent Stafford, Christan Delaney and her husband, Justin, Wade Russell, Brian Russell, Shelby Powers and her husband, Michael, Jessie Whitaker, David Whitaker and his wife, Stormie, Hudson and Electra Hesse, Chastity and Jackie McCoy, MaKayla, McKenzie and Cameron Hughes; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a stepsister, Susie Costner.

The service was Feb. 18 in Zavalla at the Lakewood Baptist Church. Local information provided by Carson-Wall Funeral Home.