Jarrell Davis Russell Jr.'s Obituary
Jarrell Davis Russell, Jr. of Shamrock passed away on Friday, July 05, 2024 at the age of 76 years, 8 months and 27 days.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 11, 2024 at the Eleventh St. Baptist Church in Shamrock with Andy Taylor and James Henderson, officiating.
Cremation and arrangements are by Robertson funeral Directors of Shamrock.
Jarrell Davis Russell, Jr., was born on October 9, 1947, in Shamrock, TX, to Jarrell and Digna Russell. He graduated from Shamrock High School in 1965 and attended Texas Tech University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. On June 2, 1969, he was united in marriage to Jo Poarch in Canyon, TX; the couple moved to Shamrock, TX. Jarrell was the high school ag teacher at McLean ISD for 4 years.
Jarrell was a competitive calf roper, competing at both the college level and later professionally. He was a member of the Texas Tech Rodeo Team and qualified for the college national finals in 1968. In 1977, he qualified for the PRCA National Finals Rodeo. Throughout his PRCA career, he won many of the major rodeos including Salinas, California, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Denver, Colorado.
Jarrell was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. He was an exceptional cowboy and had a passion for anything to do with calf roping, horses, land, and cattle. He and his loving wife Jo, of 55 years, worked side by side farming and ranching, along with their children; together, they taught them the importance of family values, hard work, & dedication.
Jarrell, better known as “Dave,” to his grandchildren, was a loving grandfather. He enjoyed watching his grandkids compete in just about anything, but especially enjoyed watching them rodeo. He was always there with an encouraging word of advice when they needed it, and you can bet it was good advice.
Jarrell had a way with words and such a gentle way about him. He was always polite and soft-spoken. He could be a man of few words, until of course, he got started on a good story; he had a gift for storytelling. His wife referred to him as the “Angel of I-40,” as he helped countless stranded strangers over the years & was known to provide them with extra money, hotel rooms, gas, tires, or whatever else they needed to get them safely on their way.
Jarrell came to know his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at a lay renewal & revival at the Eleventh Street Baptist Church in 1988. He went to rest with his heavenly Father on July 5, 2024, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Jarrell is preceded in death by his parents and his infant daughter, Amy Sue.
He is survived by his wife, Jo; children, Desha and husband Troy Brown of Stephenville, TX, Charley and wife Jessica Russell of Shamrock, TX, and Laci and husband Tracy Longley of Stephenville, TX; grandchildren, Twister Brown and wife Peyton, Talyn Brown, Natalie Russell, Ashlie Russell, and Kasidy Russell; great grandchild, Taci Brown; sister, Diana and husband Michael Pate of Crawford, TX, and many nieces and nephews.
The family has requested that memorials be sent to their favorite charity.
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