OBITUARY: Clarence Davis Russell Jr.

Clarence Davis Russell Jr., 73, passed away on Jan. 17, 2020 in Dallas.

He was born on Oct. 4, 1946 in Wisner, Louisiana to Clarence Davis Russell Sr., and Dorothy (Amery) Russell.

CD, as he was fondly called by his family and friends, joined the Army in February 1967, received basic training and Jungle warfare at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served in Germany with Co. A. 12th Engr. Abn. Bn. 8th Army where he attended Airborne Jump School. Deployed to Vietnam January 1968 with the HHC 326th Engr. Bn. 101st Abn. Div. at Hue, (Camp Eagle). While there he was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal twice, Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Returning to the U.S., he left the Army in 1971 but in 1972 enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard HHC1st Bn. Abn. 143rd Inf. Attending the 82nd Abn. Div. Jumpmaster School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He jumped with the unit recruiting sky diving team, where he made jumps across Texas and in Spain. He transferred to the Texas Air National Guard 136th Security Police at NAS Dallas, Grand Prairie, where he served as Parachute Rigger, Training NCO, Operation NCO, Quad Leader, Fire Team Leader and NCO1C of Law Enforcement. He received the Master Security Police Badge, Senior Parachute Badge, Texas Governors Unit Citation, Texas Adjutant Generals Individuals award four times, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Services Awards two times, Air Force Achievement Award, IF Longevity Service Ribbon w/2 OLCs and the Texas Faithful Service Medal. He retired in April 1996 as an Air Force Master Sergeant with 27 years of service.

Outside of the military, he had a lifelong career in law enforcement holding an advanced police officer license for the state of Texas. Serving with SMU Police DPT., Lavon Police Dpt., Red Oak Police Dpt., Ovilla Police Dpt., Ellis County Sherriff’s Dpt., Pecan Hill City Marshall’s Office. He finished his career with Red Oak ISD where he has served as a school resource officer for the past 10 years.

CD was a longtime resident of Red Oak, a member of the Cowboy Church of Ellis County and the American Legion Chris Kyle Post #388.

His survived by his wife, Pat Russell: Children, Alice Neihouse of Cumberland, Virginia, Clarence D. “Bubba” Russell of Tyler, Sheila Snelgrove of Kemp, Janice Russell of Red Oak, Rodger Hendrick II of Ferris, Dawn Warin of Caldwell, Idaho, and Heather Arista of Cedar Hill; 14 Grandchildren; 8 Great Grandchildren; Siblings, Jerry Russell, Gloria Fulghum and James Russell all of Arlington. Preceded in death by father, mother, and brother Charles Ray Russell and sister Janice Smith.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 at the First Baptist Church, Red Oak from 5 – 7 p.m.

Funeral Service with honors will be held on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 at the First Baptist Church, Red Oak at 10 a.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Forest Ridge Funeral Home Memorial Park Chapel, North Richland Hills. www.forestridge-fh.com