Thomas Richard Russell, age 88 of Little River, passed from this life on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Cornerstone Gardens. A service honoring his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, January 29, 2018 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple, with burial immediately following at Bellwood Memorial Park. A visitation will take place beginning at 10:00 A.M. before the service on Monday. His family will also be gathering to visit and share memories with friends and family on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Thomas was born on October 19, 1929 in Old Howard, Texas to TG and Lou Ella Russell. He was the youngest sibling, with three doting older sisters whom he loved dearly. His family moved to the nearby communities of Oenaville and Stringtown, before settling in Temple. Thomas attended Temple High School, where he played football for the Temple Wildcats. He stayed an extra year to play football, so he was considered part of the graduating classes of both 1948 and 1949. Before his graduation, he joined the Texas National Guard as the first recruit in the area, serving ten years. While at Temple High, he met and fell in love with his soul mate, Lois Ann Derrick, and he married her on June 20, 1953 at First Christian Church in Temple. He enjoyed fifty-four wonderful years with Lois Ann before her passing in 2007. After a few years working at American Desk, Thomas was hired by Mr. Ralph Wilson Sr. as one of the original group of employees to start Wilsonart in April 1956. He was a loyal and hard working man, holding various positions before retiring as General Manager of Production in December 1988. As a couple, Thomas and Lois Ann were active members of Northside Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon and headed up the Happy Agers activities. He also enjoyed traveling with friends and family, working outside, and spending time with his granddaughters Krystan and Lindsey, both of with whom he was absolutely smitten. Thomas and Lois Ann were also heavily involved in the Bell County Youth Fair. They spent many years supporting the youth as Photography Division Superintendents, as well as participating as buyers in the auction. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, three sisters, Thelma Carter, Mary Morris, and Eula Mae Russell, and one granddaughter, Lindsey Case. Thomas is survived by his son Brad Russell and partner Phil Krawczynski of Lake Belton; his daughter Linda Case, and her husband Dan of Little River; a granddaughter Krystan Hunt and her husband Jared of Fayetteville, Arkansas; two sweet great- granddaughters Hadley and Hannah Hunt; and several treasured nephews and their wonderful families. Memorials may be made to Northside Church of Christ or Cherokee Children’s Home.
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