Obituary of Russel Leon Anoatubby

Russel Leon Anoatubby, age 86, passed away on July 9, 2023, in Ardmore, Okla. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, July 14, 2023, in The Chapel at Griffin~Hillcrest with The Reverend Steve Wall officiating. Cremation with care under the direction of Hillcrest Crematory to follow. Russel was born in Tishomingo, Okla. on February 7, 1937, to Opal (Mitchell) Anoatubby and Joseph Anoatubby. He attended and graduated from Tishomingo, Okla. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 13, 1956 and served his country as a ham operator and morse code on islands in Guam and was honorably discharged on July of 1960. When Russel returned home, he married Miss Diann Jean “Whitey” Orphan on July 13, 1963, in Ada, Okla. They moved to Ardmore and he started working at Montgomery Ward’s as a TV repair man. In 1971, he went to work for Uniroyal Tire Company as the head electric technician and retired in 1994. He was a devoted ham radio operator with the call letter W5RFX communicating with people all over the world. Russel was a photographer and loved to take photos any time he could, he was last seen taking photos at the senior citizens center. He was an Avid OU and Dallas Cowboys fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters, Othale Manning, and Joann Manning. Russel is survived by his children, Loretta “Crickett” Anoatubby, Lou Taylor and husband, Steve, and Johna Anoatubby. Grandchildren; Brooklyn Kay, Brayden “Bubba” Rain, Brianna Jean and Piper Jane, Ereyn Paige Taylor, Amy Johnson, Stephanie Taylor, Selina Taylor, Chanena Taylor, and Elizabeth Taylor and great-grandson; Santana King Robinson, three brothers; Bill Anoatubby, Gene Anoatubby, and Teddy Anoatubby. His canine companion, Tito, and a host of family and friends. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00pm, Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Griffin ~ Hillcrest.