April 15, 1934 - January 10, 2026
Paul B. Russell, 91, the family patriarch, a former Mayor of Enid, and the hardest working man his family knew, died at home on January 10, 2026, of cancer. He was surrounded by his family. Born April 15, 1934, in Enid, Oklahoma, to Ira and Ida Russell, Paul’s life was centered on his family. He attended Garfield Elementary School, Longfellow Junior High School, and graduated from Enid High School in 1952. He went on to
graduate from Phillips University in 1956 and began a teaching career at Enid High School. Paul and Patricia Summers, the love of his life, were married in 1956, and this marriage lasted 69 years until Patricia’s tragic death in October 2025.
Paul remembered with fondness growing up on East Maple Street with the many friends he kept for his entire life. During those formative years, there were few jobs that Paul didn’t tackle, including farming, making potato chips, hauling flour sacks, throwing newspapers, working on the railroad, and cutting grass. He began teaching science at Enid High School following graduation from Phillips. In the late 1950s, Paul became the Purchasing Agent for St. Mary’s Hospital. In the late 1960s, Paul and several investors built the Enid Convalescent Hospital to provide step-down care to patients transitioning from the hospital setting. In 1971, Paul and Patricia purchased Morgan’s Diamond Shop where they provided bespoke service to couples beginning their married lives. Following the closure of Morgan’s in the early 1990s, Paul began new careers as a bus driver for the Enid Public Schools and as a commercial mower. He continued both occupations until December 2025. Paul retired from Enid Public Schools on December 19, 2025, after nearly 36 years as a bus driver. He rarely missed a day of work. He was a proud member of the Greatest Generation.
In 1977, Paul wanted to give back to Enid, so he ran for Mayor. He was elected to a two-year term and reelected in 1979. Following service as Mayor, Paul chaired the Enid Police Civil Service Commission for several years. He also served on the Fire Civil Service Commission and was a member of the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs. He loved driving the train at Meadowlake Park. Paul served his country in the Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade for 15 years. Paul loved Enid and was proud to have served his community.
Paul may best be remembered as a great friend and colleague. If you were fortunate to have walked with Paul on his journey through life, your life was enriched. If you were Paul’s friend, you were likely teased unmercifully or subjected to one of his long-running jokes. He often told friends and family, without ever losing his composure, about having been crowned the NWOBTC (which stands for “Northwest Oklahoma Baton Twirling Champion”), only to have given it up because his puffy sleeves too often caught fire while he twirled fire batons. Or he might have told you that he was the string changer on the yo-yo team. Better yet, he would regale you with stories of his many performances on a fictional instrument known as a “fenorton.” Or was it spelled “phenorton”? We’ll never know (and we all Googled it). We never saw this mysterious and fictional instrument because, according to Paul, it was too delicate to be brought out because of the instrument’s sensitivity to humidity! Paul might also have quizzed you with questions without answers, such as: “Do you walk to school or carry your lunch?” or “Is it hotter in the summer or in the country?” You never wanted to badmouth anyone around Paul because he would immediately, in jest, let you know that he or she was his relative. This led to one of his bus driver colleagues to tell a new driver, “don’t say anything negative about anyone as Paul is related to everyone in Enid!” All of this was designed to get you to laugh and smile, two things he wanted from everyone he encountered.
Paul was honored in February 2022 during halftime of the 6A basketball finals as the sole survivor of Enid High School’s 1952 State Basketball Championship team. Paul made the game winning free-throw in the semi-finals to put Enid into the championship game.
More than anything, Paul was proud of his 69-year marriage to Patricia. Paul and Patricia raised and passed their strong work ethic and values on to their four children, who then passed those values to four grandchildren and now four great-grandchildren (soon to be five). Paul worked tirelessly to provide the best for his family. He set an example of hard work and perseverance to his children and grandchildren, and his investment paid dividends. He wanted a better life for his family, and he succeeded in that goal.
No matter where Paul went, he was often warmly reminded by doctors, nurses, and restaurant servers that they had ridden his bus as part of their high school experience. He touched the lives of many people during his nearly 92 years, and he hoped his kindness and generosity would be paid forward.
To his granddaughters, Paul was known as Papa. When they visited, they would always come home with questions about the fenorton or these strange questions he asked about walking to school. We all played along because we too had been victims of Paul’s sense of humor. He adored his grandchildren and was so very proud of their accomplishments.
Paul was preceded in death by his wife Patricia and his brothers Howard Edgar and James Norman. He is survived by his children Elizabeth Hope (Robert) Saunders, Allison Elene (Roy) Fuller, John David (Karen) Russell, Susan Lynn (Bradley) Schupp; grandchildren Rachel Diana Taylor, Emily May Russell (Andrew) Levy; Allison Elizabeth (Mitchell) Barton, Olivia Catherine (Chase) White, Roy Edward Fuller, Ashley Elizabeth Fuller, and Kristin Alyson (Michael) Colantuono; four great-grandchildren, Harper Ava White, Emerson Rose White, Parker John White, and Lucy Amelia Barton, and, arriving soon, a fifth great- granddaughter, Nora Evelyn Barton.
Paul wanted his family to recognize and express his deep love and appreciation for some very special people in his life, including Jennifer, Camryn and Cassidy Patterson, whom Paul and Patricia considered family. You brought endless joy and happiness to their lives. Paul was also very thankful for Lauran Krause, who helped Paul and Patricia for several years when their mobility was limited. Paul wanted to recognize the Enid Public Schools and its Superintendent, Dudley Darrow, who recognized Paul’s 36 years of service until his retirement. He loved driving a bus and his colleagues at the bus barn. Paul is thankful for his hospice caregivers, Sarah, Lacey, and Krysten from Traditions Home Health Care who provided compassionate care during Paul’s last six months.
A funeral will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 401 W. Randolph Avenue, Enid. Reception following. A private family burial will follow. In lieu of flowers and to honor the memory of Paul, please donate in his name to 4 R Kids in Enid or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home, 580-233-1700, 601 W. Broadway,
