Russ White

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Russell Elmo White, Jr. was born in Guymon, Oklahoma on November 14, 1943, to Rusty (Russell) Elmo White, Sr. and Doris F (Delores Stebens) White. 

On November 22, 2025, he passed away at UT Health, Tyler, Texas with his wife, Cheryl,  and sons, Rusty & Randy, at his bedside. Russ was 82 years and 8 days on this earth. He never met a stranger and always threw back the fish that weren’t keepers.

His closest friends and family called him Junebug; a moniker that was affectionately given to him by his Grandpa White. 

In his early years the White family lived in the Antelope Valley of Lancaster, California where little Russell, at 8 years of age, was the marble shooting champion until moving to the farm in Stella, Missouri in 1953. He was an outdoors child  that roamed the woods; he was an expert tree climber, rock skipper and slingshot maker.

Russ graduated from Stella High School at Stella, Missouri in 1962. He joined the US Air Force in August of 1962 serving most of his time at Kimpo Airfield, Seoul, Korea. He was assigned to the 6167th Support Squadron for Special Ops during the early onset of the Vietnam War. He wore the Maroon Beret of Pararescuers, he was an Air Commando and a Small Arms Expert Marksman. He made us all very proud. After his military stint ended in March of 1966, he then moved to Kansas City, Kansas where he worked at the Hallmark Cards company for 12 years.

In the mid-70s he and the boys moved to Pratt, Kansas where he started the White Oilfield Supply Company and operated it for over 30 years. He was an oilfield auctioneer graduating from Mason City College of Auctioneering in 1987. 

He married Cheryl D (McDonald) White on February 3, 1989. Russ and Cheryl lived in Pratt up until her retirement, after which, in 2013, they moved to their current residence in Hideaway, Texas. 

Russ was an avid fisherman and golfer. Anytime the weather allowed he would be doing both. He would always strive to shoot for the low score and the catch limit. Russ was always quick to share a joke or short story and kept the room buzzing. 

He was extremely proud of his family; children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; always happy to share with you their latest updates and photos.

Russ was a Christian man believing that God was in charge of everything. He was at peace when he joined our Lord at the end of his earthly life. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas.

Russ is survived by his wife, Cheryl, his sons Russell E (Brenda) White, Randall E (Marion) White, Seven Grandchildren  and Three Great-grandsons, brother, Dwayne (Louise) White, sister, Merlen White, sister, Debbie (Marvin) Major, and their families thereof, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and their families thereof. 

Preceding him in death were his parents, Rusty & Doris White, sister, Delores (Tudy) Brumley, and the mother of his children, Paula. 

Interment will be on a future date at the Macedonia Cemetery in Stella, Missouri. He will be laid to rest alongside his  dad and mom, per his expressed wishes. Russ will be deeply missed by those who loved him.