Darrell Gene Russell, son of the late Willis Herbert and Eloise “Lois” (O’Dell) Russell, was born October 18, 1940, in Wright County, Missouri, and passed from this life March 22, 2024, at his son’s home near Hartville, Missouri. He was 83 years, 5 months, and 4 days of age.
Darrell was born and raised in Wright County, Missouri. He attended Dry Branch School north of Odin, Missouri, and later graduated from Hartville High School with the class of 1959. He moved to Denver, Colorado, with his parents where he went to college to pursue his dental schooling. He was united in marriage to Beverly Givens on January 27, 1960, in Colorado, and three children were born to this union. Darrell and Beverly later moved back to Hartville, Missouri, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
During his working career, Darrell drove a truck for Marshfield Casket Company, and he worked as a Dental Laboratory Technician for 55 years at Houston Kerrs DDS in Springfield, Missouri, and at Max Harkey DMD in Mansfield, Missouri. He worked at the Hartville Post Office for eight years before retirement. Darrell also owned and operated Russell’s Grocery north of Hartville after his dad passed away in 1998. Darrell enjoyed rebuilding salvage vehicles with his dad and brother.
Darrell’s hobbies included riding motorcycles, going to dog and horse races, and going on hunting and fishing trips with his two uncles, James Latimer and Elmer Hake. Darrell also enjoyed farming and caring for his cattle. He had various motorcycles throughout the years, but in 2009 he bought his brand new Harley Davidson. He liked taking motorcycle trips with his son, Troy, to Colorado to see family as well as other destinations around the country. During his visits to Colorado, he liked to pan (or prospect) for gold. Darrell especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and treasured the time that he was able to spend with them.
Besides his parents, Darrell was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Russell, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lewis and Theresa Givens, his sister, Patricia Russell, and his brother, Mark Russell.
He is survived by one son, Troy Russell and his wife, Tammy, two daughters, Michelle Russell and Cylinda Prock and her husband, Russell, all of Hartville, Missouri, four grandchildren, Chelsea Krueger and her husband, Joey of Oklahoma, Kristen Lafferty and her husband, Joseph, of Hartville, Missouri, Kevin Prock and his wife, Hannah, of Marshfield, Missouri, and Katrina Prock and her fiancé, Tyler, of Hartville, Missouri, ten great-grandchildren, Bryson, Addison, Chasin, Jordyn, Savannah, Lacie, Kenzlynn, Quincy, Annabelle, and Brooks, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Martha Murway and her husband, Steve, and brother-in-law, Lewis Givens Jr., all of Colorado, sister-in-law, Linda Fullington, of Hartville, Missouri, and many nephews, nieces, neighbors, and friends who will miss him.
