Gerald Russell

Memorial Service: Thursday, March 24, at the Christian Church (100 Flying Circle Drive, Gillette)

Interment: will follow the service at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette

Memorial services for Gerald Jerry Russell, 57, will be held Thursday, March 24, at the Christian Church (100 Flying Circle Drive, Gillette), with Michael Dennis officiating. Interment will follow the service at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette.

Mr. Russell died Friday, March 18 of a heart blockage. He was traveling home to Gillette after attending a Christian conference in Loveland, CO, and was treated at the Wheatland, WY, hospital, where he passed away.

Jerry was born May 14, 1947, in Beaver, OK, to Emma and John Russell. He grew up in western Kansas and eastern Colorado. After graduating from high school in Colby, KS, he attended Platte Valley Bible College in Scottsbluff, NE. There he met Michelle McLaughlin, and they were married June 11, 1967, in Gillette. During their nearly 38 years of marriage the Russells lived in several places: Scottsbluff, NE, Torrington, WY, Bayfield, CO, Gillette, and Rapid City, SD. In each place they were active as volunteers in their church, while he followed his career as an optician. Jerry had recently begun full-time as associate minister at the Christian Church of Gillette. Although he was an effective leader, teacher, and preacher, Jerry considered himself, first of all, to be a servant. Jerry delighted in having a family of his own to take care of, and was a great dad to his daughter and son. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed sports in general. In his high school days he was a star basketball player and loved the game.

Jerry was known to family, friends, and church members as a person they could go to for help or counsel. He did not consider any job beneath him. He would carry out trash, deliver a meal, fix a toilet, teach a class, or preach a sermon. He enjoyed visiting shut-ins and loved singing with the church praise team. Jerrys servant role continues after his death, for he was an organ donor.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Michelle; his daughter, Anne Marie Birdie, and her husband Chad; his son, Jeremy Russell, and his wife Ruth; his beloved granddaughter, Megan Rose Birdie; his mother, Emma Wales of Buena Vista, CO; two sisters, Jeannie Stewart of Bayfield, CO, and Marilyn Hollenbeck of Buena Vista, CO; a brother, Charles Bud Russell of Roy, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial has been established to the Christian Church of Gillette. Memorial gifts and condolences can be sent to Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. Fifth St., Gillette, WY 82716, or via the Internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.