Mr. Lee Monroe Russell

Lee Monroe Russell was born in Macks Creek, Missouri on September 21st, 1923 to Delia Hattie (Eidson) Russell and James Marion Russell. After graduating from high school, in Macks Creek, he went to Stillwater, Oklahoma to do aircraft engine training. He wanted to enlist in the Navy but instead he was drafted into the Army Air Corps. He volunteered to train to be a fighter pilot in WWII. He began his training on the PT-13 Stearman then the P-51 Mustang for deployment to the Pacific Theatre in WWII. The war ended before he was able to deploy. He married Opal Pearl Williams on January 4th, 1946. They had two daughters Janet Kay and Judy Carol. He started his marriage and family life as a farmer but said Macks Creek kept taking out his crops, so he decided to go to the Big City. He loved his career working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He was employed for thirty-three years. He took his family on vacations every summer in the camper touring many of the national parks and monuments. Lee had many interests and hobbies. After retirement he continued his love of fishing, hunting, and gardening. He was a lifelong car lover. He learned and loved to play golf. He also enjoyed playing pool with friends at church. He was active for years at First Baptist Church of Urbana. He leaves behind his wife of almost seventy-five years, Opal Pearl (Williams) Russell, one daughter Judy Carol Voelter and husband Bill, one grandson Christopher Creighton Douglas, three granddaughters Tiffany Prier Lamb and husband Scott, Alexis Malay Douglas, Rebecca Prier Gleason and husband Chris, six great-grandchildren Carlee Beth Lamb, Caroline Ashlee Gleason, Nicholas Warner Lamb, Kate Alexandra Gleason, Harris Norwood Gleason, and Owen Russell Douglas, his brother James Marion Russell and wife Connie, and his sister Mary Frances (Russell) Wirths and husband Buddy. He is preceded in death by his mother Delia, Father James and daughter Janet, his brother Len, sister Pauline, and brother Charlie and stepmother Eva, Step-sister Georgia, and step-brother Jerry. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2020 in the Urbana First Baptist Church. Services are under the care and direction of the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home of Urbana.

Mr. Lee Monroe Russell

September 21, 1923 - September 12, 2020