Russell Wyman Page

Retired SMSGT Russell Wyman Page

March 19, 1944 - November 28, 2024

On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024, Russ went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and we give thanks that he is no longer suffering. For more than two years, he received frequent treatment for Myelodysplastic Syndrome until his body could endure no more. Russ took his last breaths with his devoted wife, stepson, and daughter-in-law by his side. While we are deeply saddened by our loss, we rejoice in his Heavenly Homecoming. We feel certain he was welcomed with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

Russell Wyman Page was born on March 19, 1944, in Vancouver, Washington, to Jean Marie (Hickcox) and Don Wyman Page, Jr. His early years were spent divided between his grandparents' dairy farm in Mill City, Oregon, and his father's home in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Russ's work ethic was formed in Mill City at the age of six, when he would milk cows both before and after school each day. When he was fourteen, Russ had a newspaper route in Las Vegas. Shortly thereafter, he was back in Mill City working as a peeler and spotter in a local saw mill. 

In his senior year, after working nights in the saw mill, Russ would sleep in his car in the school parking lot, wake up, take a shower in the gym and go to classes. Often he would fall asleep in class and be sent to the principal's office. At one such meeting, the principal suggested he might better support his widowed grandmother by joining the military. Russ heeded the principal's advice and never looked back. 

After joining the U.S. Air Force in 1962, Russ was able to earn not only his G.E.D, but also an Associate of Science Degree in Applied Science. During his career of nearly 23 years, Russ was stationed in England and Spain, spent time in Portugal, Morocco, and Turkey, and was also stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada; Victorville, California; and Tucson, Arizona. Russ served two tours in Vietnam, and was the Crew Chief for the Thunderbirds' two world tours. 

Over the years, Russ received the following: Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Service Long Tour Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

After serving in Vietnam, Russ returned to the States only to be greeted at the airport by strangers who spit on him and cursed him. Since then he has made a point of telling fellow Vietnam vets, "Welcome Home, Brother!" When someone thanked him for his service, he always said, "It was my privilege and my honor to serve my country." Having served a total of 22 years, 9 months, and 2 days, he retired from the Air Force on August 1, 1985, with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. 

Russ used the G.I. Bill to complete his Bachelor of Science Degree from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, focusing on Secondary Education with an emphasis on Biology. He began his teaching career in the Fall of 1987 as a Student Teaching Intern at Northeast High School in Oklahoma City and went on to teach in Rodgers Middle School in Spencer, Choctaw High School, where he was the head coach for the boys' and girls' varsity soccer teams in addition to teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, and Botany, and he taught in Meeker, Oklahoma. He also taught and coached in Tonopah, Nevada, and Weippe, Idaho. 

On December 28, 2003, Russ married Janet Robbins with whom he would spend the rest of his life. In order to spend more time at home helping to raise her young son, he decided to quit coaching and focus on academics. He started an Academic team and coached it instead! He had promised his wife that he would teach until their son graduated from high school. In 2014, at the age of 70, his 25-year career as an educator came to a close. 

Even today, his former students have great respect for "Mr. Page" and remember him as a mentor who always encouraged them to do their best. Many expressed gratitude for "saving their lives" because he cared not only about what they were learning but also about them personally. He loved his students and they loved him. 

Russ spent as much time enjoying nature as he possibly could, whether he was camping, fishing, hunting (deer, pheasant, or chukar), hiking in the mountains, attending a mountain man rendezvous, traveling, or working in his yard tending his roses. He especially loved spending time with friends, family, and his dogs. He was blessed to have several life-long friends, some of whom were also family: Norvel Richards, Willie Cooper, and Pamela Millisor. 

Over the years, Russ was very active in the communities where he lived and taught, whether it was helping to coach his children's sports teams, volunteering in Scouts' activities, or belonging to the Lions Club, the Elks, the local VFW, or one of the local churches. 

There are volumes more that could be said about this man who led such a remarkable life. He was a man of great integrity, honor, and courage. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and nephew. He will be greatly missed. 

Russ was preceded in death by his Paternal Grandparents, Hazel Alice (Shepardson) and Don Wyman Page, Sr.; Maternal Grandparents, Dorothy Eleanor (Allen) and Leonard Claiborne (W.) Hickcox; Parents, Jean Marie (Hickcox) Bueneman and Don Wyman Page, Jr.; Daughter, Angelina Page; Half-Sisters, Teresa Nina Page and Janet Lynne Page; Half-Brother, Ronald Alvin Bueneman; Mother-in-law, Edna J. (Miller) Welch; Brothers-in-law, Willie Cooper and Ronald Raymond Moore; Sister-in-law, Sharon Linda (Welch) Moore; Nephews-in-law, Tracey Hensley and Bryan Warrick; Great-Nephew-in-law, Milo Warrick; and the Mothers of twoof his children, Charlotte A. Magnus Page and Sherry Ann (Bartley) Page. 

Left to cherish his memory are his Wife, Janet Maxine (Welch) Robbins; Son, Rodger Wymen Page and wife, Sharon; Stepson, Bryan Maxwell Robbins and wife, Sarah; Daughters, Karen Geneva Dunn and Lynn Ann Page; Grandsons, Ryan Dunn and Alexander Wyman Bemos; Granddaughters, Courtney Dunn; Audrey Tristen Ansley and husband, Evan; and Reba Ann McGirt; Step-granddaughters, Alissa Rose Mariotti and husband, Tony; and Elsie Mae McGirt; Great-granddaughter, Adeline Ansley; Step-great-grandsons, KJ Mariotti and Vinny Mariotti; Half-Brother, Robin Bueneman; Half-Sisters, Pamela Millisor, Linda Jean Cash, Gloria Aleksich, and Linda Lee (Page) Gunning; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. 

Join us for a Celebration of Life at 10:00 o'clock, Saturday morning, December 14, 2024, at Community Church, 907 1st Street, Prague, OK 74864. A buffet luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a donation in Russ's memory to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or The American Cancer Society. Obituary is available online at Swearingen Funeral Home, Seminole, Oklahoma.