Russell E. Withrow, 81, of Midland was born August 10. 1925 in Protection, Kansas and passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2007 in Odessa.Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 15, 2007 at the First Baptist Church in Midland with Dr. Gary Dyer, Pastor, officiating. Family will receive friends at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, 3800 North Big Spring Street, in Midland on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 from 6:00 PM ? 8:00 PM. Russell grew up in Kansas and Oklahoma, graduating as Salutatorian from Newkirk High School. He attended Tonkawa Jr. College for one year, where he met his future bride, Lois Ruth Nuckolls. He graduated from Tulane University, and did graduate work at Harvard, on the V-12 program. Russell served in the U.S. Navy during WWII until October 1946, and received his Masters degree in Accounting from Oklahoma A&M in August 1947. He passed the CPA exam, with honors, on his first try in November, 1947.Russell and Lois were married on October 23, 1945, and moved to Abilene, Texas in August, 1949. They lived and raised their five children there for twenty-three years, before moving to Midland in 1972. Russell was devoted to his family and his God, and treated all to his wonderful sense of humor. He served his churches as Treasurer, Board Chairman, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and Elder. Russell was also the longest serving Board member of Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat, and was an active Gideon. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, William Robert and Audrey Klingenberg Withrow, and by one daughter, Kathy Withrow Miller.He is survived by his wife Lois, children Mark (Jennifer) Withrow, Frisco, TX; Rebecca (Mark) Ingram, Highland Village, TX; Stephen (Dixie) Withrow, Midland, TX; and Sara (Keith) Hall, Yukon, OK; grandchildren Matthew Withrow, Laura Lyn (Clint) Nichols, Elliott and Elyce Fry, Brian and Adam Miller, Katie and Jeff Ingram, Brock and Brittnee Smith, Samantha and Sawyer Hall; sisters Audrey Maxine Johnson, Dodge City, KS; and Charlotte Withrow, Overland Park, KS. We loved and treasured our Russell, Dad, Daddy, Squirelly, and Pepa.Memorials may be sent to Gideons International, 602 North Baird, Midland, Texas 79701,
