Russell Alan Rollins, age 88, of Frisco, Texas passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021 surrounded by his adoring family. Russell was born July 18, 1932 in Hollis, OK to his loving parents Leroy and Leola Rollins. Russell is survived by the love of his life, his wife Dorothy Rollins, daughter Tonya Holder, and sons Greg Rollins, and Joe Rollins, his sister, Inetha Eason, and multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Terri Pratt.
Russell was raised in Hollis, Oklahoma on a red dirt cotton farm. Here, he learned the values of hard work and humility. He met high school sweetheart, Dorothy Lea Grant, and they were married in 1952. He enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War. When he returned from service, he had a brief stint in the farming business, but he was persuaded to use his G.I. Bill to enroll at Oklahoma State University and major in Mechanical Engineering. Between his years in the service and at OSU, Russell and Dorothy had four children - Tonya, Joe, Greg, and Terri. He graduated from Oklahoma State as the first member of his family to go to college, and he would remain a lifetime OSU Cowboy fan.
Upon graduation, Russell worked at Dow Badische Chemical Company in Lake Jackson, Texas. His work as an engineer took him across the United States and Europe. Russell was an engaged member of the community and served as a coach for both of his sons’ baseball teams, and was an active member of Willow Drive Baptist Church. Russell and Dorothy raised their children there beside lifelong friends.
When he retired from engineering, Russell and Dorothy moved to Lake Kiowa, TX, where they enjoyed rich friendships and their Sunday School class at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, TX. In his retirement, Russell redirected his energy to growing a bountiful garden, perfecting his golf game, enjoying dominos, and cheering on the OSU Cowboys, especially in baseball. His four children, eleven grandchildren, and twenty-one great-grandchildren will always treasure their memories of the 4th of July celebration at Lake Kiowa every year, with domino games, swimming in the lake, the golf cart parade, and riding in the back of his truck to see the fireworks at the dam.
Russell and Dorothy were married for sixty-nine years, and his legacy is his family. He will always be remembered for his quiet strength, gentle spirit, and warm laugh. Because of his faithfulness, we know where our hope lies. We know he is reunited with his loved ones in Heaven, and we know that one day we will join him.
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