The best man in the world passed away on Monday. Tom Russell, 89, was an Irish Catholic Cowboy Entrepreneur. Tom revolutionized the oil and gas industry. That does not happen every day. He innovated design processes, skid-mounted plants, and equipment standardization. His enterprising spirit began early. His first "processing plant" was brewing beer in his parent's basement and selling it on the school bus. He served in the U.S. Army and earned a degree from the University of Tulsa (TU). He built and sold two successful companies. He was always quick to share credit with his three engineer sons and the other employee-owners of T.H. Russell Co. and Thomas Russell Company. With over 50 years of leading in his field, TU named the Russell School of Chemical Engineering after him. The Hanlon Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gas Processors Association both occupied a treasured place among his professional honors. He said in an interview, "I love to build stuff. A gas processing plant is the most fascinating thing to build."
Tom adored Pam, his wife of 28 years, and their blended family of eight kids: Jennifer, Matthew, Glenn, Stephanie, Amanda, Neal, Ashley, and Bobby. Tom and Pam loved to travel together and often took their children + spouses + 20 grandchildren on adventures. Naturally, Ireland was their favorite destination.
Tom and Pam have blessed the Tulsa community with their contributions to the Gathering Place, Discovery Lab, TU, churches, and local charities.
Tom was the life of the party, and the light of his family's lives. His blue-grey eyes were always shining, and he was always smiling. Tom was intelligent and wise, humble and kind, playful and a bit mischievous. His sense of humor was among his best qualities. He worked hard all his life and loved to "be productive." Some joked he even designed gas plants in his sleep. Tom's rallying cry was, "Come on, we're burning daylight!" Yet, Tom always made time for people. He was a mentor to many and generous to all. He genuinely wanted to see others succeed. "The best advice I can give anyone," he often said, "is to always do the right thing." Directly and indirectly, Tom has positively affected the lives of thousands of people. With a grateful heart, he would give thanks to God first, then his wife, family, friends, professors, mentors, and business associates.
He did not seem to know he was the best man in the world. But all who knew him did.
Tom's service will be at Christ the King in Tulsa, OK on Monday, December 19 at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Tom's name to Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, at www.cceok.org < http://www.cceok.org >, or mailing address is P.O. Box 580460, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74158 or to a charity of your choice.