Charles Clark (Chuck) Russell, ’58 electrical engineering, died in his Stillwater home on Sept. 13 at the age of 100. He graduated high school in 1938 and soon began working in the CCC camps. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Russell went to John Brown University, where he began training as a pilot, a dream he had from his early childhood. He trained as an aviator cadet in Texas at four different locations to complete advanced flying school. He received his silver wings on July 29, 1943. Mr. Russell piloted the B-24 Liberator bomber and the B-24 Tailwind during World War II in missions over Germany and France, flying a total of 33 missions for the U.S. Army Air Force. He was a highly decorated veteran, earning the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the European African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal. Following World War II, Mr. Russell enrolled at Oklahoma A&M College in 1946. He was called back to military duty in 1947 to serve during the Korean War, flying missions as an airborne forward air controller. By 1948, he married Julia Dugan and had a daughter, Carol Sue, in 1951 and a son, Charles David, in 1956. After returning from Germany, he again enrolled in OSU to complete his degree in electrical engineering. He retired from the U.S. Army Air Force in 1968, and he spent two years working with the Apollo space program. He then spent 12 years working for the Maryland Board of Education developing systems for its computers, payroll and accounting. After his wife Julia died, Russell married Eleen (Little) Ezelle and later Lois Jane Best, all of whom preceded him in death. He loved photography, reading, trying new recipes, barbecuing, gardening, playing bridge, writing, drawing, watching baseball, dancing, building porches and shelving, and traveling. He also loved
Charles (Chuck) Edward Cox, ’80 master’s in health and leisure science, died Sept. 1, 2021. He was a member of the alumni group known as the KOK-DADI’s, never missing a reunion in 40 years. As a proud veteran, Mr. Cox served with the 82nd Airborne from 19691971. He retired from the United States Postal Service as a clerk, where he met his wife of 30 years, Danna Cupps. One of their
buffaloes, which his family believes was inspired by his Cherokee Nation heritage. He was a member of American Legion Post 129 and the First Christian Church in Stillwater. He is survived by his daughter, Carol Sue Wanzer and her husband, Christopher; his son, Charles David Russell; stepdaughter, Jan Courtright and her husband, Terry; stepson, Larry Best and his wife, Gwen; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Births
Green Johnson Pam Ernst (DeCamp), ’80 elementary education, became a grandmother for the first time in June. Ronn Cupp, ’70 journalism, and his wife Beth Cupp, ’70 vocational home economics, welcomed their first greatgrandchild, Joshua Owen Kem (Owen), into the world on April 6 to parents Makenna and Josh Kem of Oklahoma City. Shanna Jo Green (Skimbo), ’09 physical education, and husband Dean Green, ’10 Cowboy baseball alumnus welcomed twin boys Garner Ryan and Gordon Reed into the world Jan. 23. Big brother 2-year-old Gibson Royce Green is excited to teach his new brothers all about his favorite mascot, Pistol Pete. Myriah Johnson,’09 agricultural economics, and husband Chris Looney, welcomed their first child, Sheridan Dawn Looney on June 5. Sheridan is a legacy at University of Arkansas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State; however, Myriah is working hard to make sure Sheridan becomes a third-generation Cowboy.
Jones-Ervin Bill Jones, plant & soil science, and Shawntel Ervin, plant & soil science, welcomed their first child, Elliot Quinn Jones, on March 30. The family is happy and healthy and plans on visiting Stillwater soon.
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