John Russell Ii

John F. Russell II, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away Friday, November 19, 2010 in Roswell, at the age of 62. John was born on February 21, 1948 in Boulder, Colorado to John and Doris Russell and moved to New Mexico at the age of six months.
John grew up in Roswell and graduated from the High School Division of New Mexico Military Institute in 1966. He briefly attended the University of Missouri and returned to Roswell to attend Junior College at NMMI and graduated in 1969. He completed his Bachelors Degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales in 1971. John moved to Ocala, Florida where he and his wife Sharon were married. They and their children resided in Ocala for a few years and then they returned to New Mexico in 1975 where he then worked in the restaurant industry in Albuquerque. In 1978, John had the opportunity to go to work for Bob Ely who owned the Robert V. Ely Insurance Agency in Roswell. He later purchased the agency from Bob Ely in the early 1980s. John was so appreciative of his dedicated staff, especially 19 years by Jeanne Smith and 4 years by Denise Childs. John operated the agency up to the time of his death and was very well respected within the insurance industry.
John was serving as Vice President of the NMMI Board of Regents at the time of his passing. He also served as President of the NMMI Alumni Board, and in 2007 he received the George Ward Memorial. This is awarded to an alumnus whose actions and deeds have fostered the goals and ideals of NMMI. He was also involved in many local civic organizations. He was a charter member of the Pecos Valley Rotary Club and served as president in 1985 and was also the recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He also served for many years as the Club Secretary and was serving in that capacity up to the time of his passing. In the past, he coached both sons in the Roswell Youth Football League, was a mentor of the Washington Avenue HOSTS Program, served on the board of the Roswell Refuge for Battered Adults as well as the Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
John enjoyed the fellowship of a wide circle of friends throughout his lifetime, especially those associated with NMMI, his Rotary Club, the Friday Lunch Group, the poker group and his golfing group. John was a talented speaker, writer, golfer and guitar player and enjoyed playing his guitar with his friends.
John is survived by his wife Sharon of 37 years, two sons, Jeff Weathers and his wife Laura and their children Bailey and Lane residing in Roswell and Jon Weathers of Rio Rancho. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Greenwade and her friend Riley Armstrong both of Roswell, her sons Russ Thompson, his wife Erin and daughter Grace of Albuquerque and John David Thompson, his wife Amanda and their children Kenzie and Jackson of Weatherford, Texas, a brother Greg Russell of Roswell and his children Jennifer of Ft. Worth, Texas, Michael of Albuquerque, and his godson Matthew of Roswell. He is also survived by his Little Brother Rafael Andrade of Roswell and was also a Big Brother to many others in Roswell. John was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Roswell with Dr. Hugh Burroughs, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Roswell presiding. According to Johns wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered by many friends in many places.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the John F. Russell II NMMI Memorial Scholarship Fund established by the NMMI Foundation, 101 West College Ave., Roswell, NM 88201. Contributions may also be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at ballardfuneralhome.com.

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