Gordon Russell, 96, of Hale Center, Texas, died Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at his home in Hale Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Hale Center with Bro. Terry Wright and Rev. Taylor Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Hale Center Cemetery under the care of Ramage Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Ramage Funeral Directors, in Hale Center.

Gordon Howard Russell was born December 3, 1927, in Matador, Texas, to Jonathan Edward and Willie (Barton) Russell. He attended Matador ISD and graduated in 1946. Enrolling at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, Gordon earned his BA degree in chemistry, accounting, and bacteriology in 1949. He then attended the University of Oklahoma School of Medical Technology and South Plains College, where he earned his Nursing Home Administration certificate, followed by graduate work at Texas Tech University.

While attending school in Oklahoma, he was introduced to Joyce Elaine Geisler and soon announced that he would marry her.  They were married July 8, 1951, in Oklahoma City. This union was blessed with two children, Gordon Howard Russell, Jr. and Elaine Rhea Russell Wygant. The couple was especially dedicated to each other and were lucky to travel extensively.

When Gordon and Joyce married, he was on active duty with the United States Air Force.  The couple moved to USAF Mitchell Air Base Hospital in Hempstead, NY, from 1951 to 1954. After his discharge, they moved back to Texas where he was employed at Crane Memorial Hospital in Crane, Texas, as the CEO from 1954 to 1958. Gordon then moved to the High Plains Clinic in Dimmitt, Texas serving as the Clinic Manager and Medical Tech from 1958 to 1959. In 1959, he made his last move to Hale Center where he became CEO of Hi-Plains Hospital. He remained with the hospital until his retirement in 2002. In 2000, the Southwest Conference of Rural and Community Hospitals unveiled a new award of merit, the "Gordon Russell Merit Award" named in honor of Gordon as an exemplary hospital administrator.

Gordon was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hale Center, acting as Sunday School Superintendent, choir member, and working with both the youth and junior choirs. He served as Mayor of Hale Center for eight years and was past president and chairman for many hospital boards including, Texas Hospital Assoc., Northwest Texas Hospital Assoc, Texas Board of Hospital Licensing, and the American Hospital Assoc. Division of Small and Rural Hospitals. He served on the board of directors for Covenant Hospital Plainview and the advisory board for Buckner Children's Home of Lubbock.  Earning the Earl M. Collier Award for Outstanding Texas Hospital Administration, Gordon still found time to be active in the Hale Center Lions Club and Masonic Lodge.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joyce Russell, in 2015, and a brother, James Ed Russell.

Survivors include his son, Gordon Russell, Jr. of Plainview and his daughter, Elaine Wygant and husband Roger of Clovis, NM. He was blessed with four grandchildren: Jonathan Russell, Elizabeth Farris and husband Travis, Bryan Wygant and wife Melissa, and Tonya Heck and husband Tommy, and four great-grandchildren: Jaidyn, Tinsley, Talyn, and Briella.

The family suggests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church PO Box 396 Hale Center, Texas 79041 or the Hale Center Public Library PO Box 471 Hale Center, Texas 79041.