Robert Russell

Robert Randall Russell passed away on the night of September 7, 2011 at the home he shared in Ruidoso with his daughter, Tasha and grandson, Austin.

Randy was born on June 18, 1945 at The Dalles, Oregon to O.M. and Alma Russell. Although O.M. was originally from Salado, Texas the family relocated as soon after VJ day as possible to the ancestral home of Alma at Capulan in northeastern New Mexico.

During the following 15 years the family followed heavy construction jobs around the state of New Mexico settling in Ruidoso on February 1, 1960. While enrolled at Ruidoso High School, Randy was introduced to photography at the Winners Circle at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. After graduation in 1962 he accepted a positon as a studio photographer with Life Memories in Albuquerque, NM. While there he gained a Cadet appointment to the Albuquerque Police Department and started a career in law enforcement. While on the Clovis Police Department he married Wanda Chandler and pursued law enforcement ending in Artesia in 1981. Resigning from the Police Department in 1982 he started Russell Realty and was elected to the Artesia City Council.

In 1994 he returned to Ruidoso to provide elder care to his mother, Alma. After her passing, Randy pursued several projects including an Associates Degree in Psychology from Eastern New Mexico University, a Psycho Cybernetics training course in association with Larry Tobin and in pursuit of the perfect enchilada Thursday Night Enchilladas at Club Gas. In 2006, Randy with his daughter, Tasha and grandson, Austin purchased and ran Wild West Photos in the Four Seasons Mall.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, eldest brother, Owen. He is survived by his best friend, Karen Scott brother, John and his wife Durene.

Services will be on Monday, September 19, at 10:00 AM at the Sanctuary on the River.