Oliver Russell

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 16 at Lake Tanglewood Community Church with Dr. Roger Hubbard, pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 16 at Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. Oliver Lee Russell was born on August 29, 1920 in Stonewall, Colorado. He served his country as a Navy Pilot during WWII. He joined the US Navy in 1941 and served until 1946. After basic training, Lee learned to fly in a Piper Cub. He was such a good pilot, the Navy assigned him as an Instructor Pilot. He served as instructor in two Naval Air Stations, one in Moore, Oklahoma and one in Pensacola, Florida, logging over 3,000 hours. In the service, Lee met and married Natalie Flescher. After he finished his tour in the U.S. Navy, they moved to Amarillo, Texas to be near her family in Canyon, where the Fleschers had helped to found the city of Canyon. Lee pursued a career in auto mechanics, and Natalie pursued a career in higher education. Lee and his friend, Henry Smith, opened Henry and Lee's Garage on West 6th St., where Lee worked until he retired in 1981. Natalie retired from teaching in 1982. Lee and Natalie moved to Lake Tanglewood in 1964 when it was called Lake Stockton. In 1972, they became charter members of Lake Tanglewood Community Church. In 1984, Lee became a charter member of the Lake Tanglewood Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his wife, Natalie Russell, on September 23, 2013. They had been married for 69 years. Those who know Lee Russell will remember him as a kind, gentle person who was easy to be around. Survivors include a nephew, Randy Russell, of Lyons, CO and a cousin, Carol Schleich, of Trinidad, CO. The family suggests memorials be to Lake Tanglewood Community Church,106 Tanglewood Dr., Amarillo, TX 79118, or Kids, Inc., 2201 E. 27th, Amarillo, TX 79103.