Micheal Bruce Russell

Micheal Bruce Russell, 77, of Midland, passed from this life on August 5, 2026, finally free of his many health struggles of the past several years. Viewing will be Tuesday, August 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with family visitation from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home and Crematory, 3800 N Big Spring St, Midland, Texas. Graveside services will be held at The Peace Chapel in Trinity Memorial Park, 6900 S US Highway 87 south of Big Spring, Texas, at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12.

Micheal was born July 10, 1949 to Claude Ray Russell and Earlynn Wright in Big Spring, Texas. Micheal grew up between Big Spring and San Antonio, Texas, graduating from Big Spring High School in 1967. He briefly attended Howard College before joining the US Navy in the fall of 1967 where he served for four years with three tours to Viet Nam. Upon his discharge in 1971, he lived in Oakland and San Leandro, California. In 1977 he married Susan Hess and they had one son, Timothy Russell. He returned to Big Spring in 1982 where he worked for HW Wright Oil Company. He met Linda in 1983 and they married in 1984, sharing life, love, and a large, blended family for the next 43+ years, which included four children, 13 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. He loved and treasured his family of sons and daughters, in-laws and out-laws, grands and greats more than anything.

Micheal graduated from UTPB with his BA in Political Science and History in December 1992. He received his teaching certificate in 1996, and his MA in Education with an additional State Board of Education Certification as an Educational Diagnostician in 2002. He taught in Bangs, Wall, and Garden City, Texas before working for Ector County ISD in Odessa, retiring in 2014 as a Special Education Coordinator over the Special Ed Administrative Office. Micheal was a life-long learner, feeding his insatiable appetite for learning and knowledge even after retirement by devouring volumes of books on many varying subjects, especially the stock market and day trading, until ill-health forced him to lay down his books.

Micheal was preceded in death by his father, Ray Russell, his mother, Earlynn Ballinger, his infant brother, Steven Russell, and son, Trevor Roten.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Linda; son, Timothy Russell of Wilmington, North Carolina, daughters, Angela Kinnett (Mike) of Edgewood, Texas, and Stephanie Melton (Derrick) of Midland, Texas; grandchildren, Kayla C, Ethan, Krista (Michael), Morgan (Byron), Logan (Lauren), Corbin, Lexi, Amanda (Skye), Ashleigh (John), Alec, Kayla G (Michael), Hayden (Terry Lee), Sterling (Samantha); great-grandchildren, Raylynn, Rhyder, Kendall, Kambrie, Kyler, Kooper, Kolten, Carson, Aubree, Braedon, Braelynn, Branson, Ethan, Amelia, Noah, Riley, Kannon, Blakeley, Kalloway, Cecillia, Ellie, and Lena; Sisters, Pamela Vela (Robert), Kathy Lane, Cindy Stanley (John), Becky Cowell (Rob), and Stephanie Wolf; as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Pallbearers are Derrick Melton, Mike Kinnett, Corbin Melton, Byron Phillips, Logan Kinnett, Clayton Heath, Alec Roten, and Skye Adamson. Honorary Pallbearers are Ethan Russell, Sterling Melton, Johnny Haun, Michael Neal, John DiMase, and Omar Martinez.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

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