Donald Dean Russell

Donald D. Russell, Jr., age 67, known affectionately as Don, passed away on November 23, 2025 in Tulsa, Oklahoma from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Don was born on June 22, 1958 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Don's life was marked by his outgoing and vibrant personality, his humility, and his deep capacity for forming meaningful and thoughtful connections with others. Don met his wife Monica Pickett in 9th grade at Skelly Jr. High. Don graduated from Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa. The high school sweethearts married on September 23, 1977, at Lavern's in Miami, Oklahoma. Their enduring partnership was a cornerstone of Don's life, filled with shared interests, including antiquing and giving thoughtful gifts. Don was not only a devoted husband but also a resilient fighter who overcame three types of cancer, prostate, brain and bone cancer. Professionally, Don was deeply influenced by Monica who led him into the printing industry because that was where she worked with her dad. This led to Don opening his own printing business in the living room of their home in Tulsa. In 1994, he and his family moved to Grove, Oklahoma, and founded CBi (Christ Before i) Printing, which flourished into a very successful business under his leadership. Don attended Mountain Movers Church, where he found spiritual fulfillment and community. His faith was integral to his life. Spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, was what Don enjoyed most in life. He was a devoted husband, dad and papa. Don was preceded in death by his mother, Patrica (Colman) Jones. Left to cherish his memory, his wife, Monica Russell, sons, Josh Russell (Rebekah) and Jason Russell (Shannon) and daughter, Crystal Russell; grandchildren, Kaylee, Caleb, Jared, Gavin, Lucas, Jaydon and Izzy; all of Grove; father, Donald Russell, Sr, sisters, Debbie Maddux of Manford, OK, DeeDee Roberts (Chris) of Carney, OK and Dawnetta Russell of Edmond, OK. Visitation will be from 4-6pm Friday, November 28, at Nichols-Stephens Funeral Service. Graveside services will be at 10am Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Olympus Cemetery North followed by a Celebration of Don’s life at Mountain Movers Church at 11am. The family requests in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Mountain Movers Church kids building project! Don loved children and his heart was to build a foundation for the next generation at MMC.

Tributes

Donald Dean Russell

June 22, 1958 - November 23, 2025