Perry Bedford Russell

Perry Bedford Russell, LCdr USN, passed away September 24, 2016 enjoying the late summer sun at Ute Lake. A native Texan, he was born to Prentiss A. and Lois Rachel (Brown) Russell on September 27, 1932. He was raised in Breckenridge and Waxahachie. He later joined the Navy and was fortunate enough to have seen much of the world. Just short of his 84th birthday, Perry had experienced a full life. He was a father of four children, a career Navy Submariner, rising through the enlisted and warrant officer ranks to officer rank of Lt. Commander, employed by Sandia Labs for a few years, a stint as business owner and later landlord handyman. In the last few years, he had experienced several health problems and was not enjoying the process of getting old. An avid worker, he found these problems very limiting. Locally, Perry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vera Mason Russell of Callaway, Nebraska; two daughters, Sherry Russell and husband, George Schuh, and Shannon LeTourneau; grandchildren, Meredith Schuh, Matthew Schuh, Chantelle LeTourneau, and Jennifer LeTourneau; and great granddaughter, Ioanna Schuh. He is survived by his son, Larry B. Russell and wife, Paula, and their children, Jeffrey, L.B., and Victoria of Guthrie, Oklahoma and his daughter, Vanessa Bridges and her children, Erica, Rodney, Storey and Sterling of Waxahachie, Texas. He leaves siblings, Benny and Barbara Russell, Lynetta and Gordon Seymore, Terry and Sandy Russell, Renae and Gary Davis and their families, all from Texas; as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews, from Nebraska and friends who will miss him greatly. A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 29, 2016, 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. He will be laid to rest Friday, September 30, 2016, 9:45 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics or Smile Train.org.