Don Russell Schochler

Don Russell Schochler, passed away on April 5, 2016, 7:45 PM at Rolling Hills Nursing Home in Catoosa, Oklahoma, after an extended illness. He was 82 years old. Russell was born March 3, 1934, in Alto, Texas, to Janie Irene (Genene) Schochler and Joseph Cullen Schochler. Russell grew up in East Texas, and joined the Navy in 1952, traveling the world and retired in 1972, moving then to Bristow, Oklahoma with his wife and children, where he resided until his death.

After his retirement from the Navy, Russell became an instructor at Central Area Vo-Tech in Drumright, Oklahoma. Where he taught in the Heavy Equipment Training Program, then transitioning to the Truck Driver Training Program, until his retirement.

Russell was very talented. He played guitar and mandolin, but was best known for being an artist. If there was a blank piece of paper laying around, it wasn’t blank for long. He would always draw something pertaining to the moment, capturing the likeness of family members or friends and even himself, making fun of various situations.

Russell was quite the prankster growing up...actually, most of his life...some might even call him ornery. Apparently, that is part of the criteria for being...a Schochler.

Russell is preceded in death, by a sister, Billie Jo Schochler (infant), nephew, Barry Grey Ogletree, younger sister, Jeannette Jones, father, Cullen Schochler, mother, Genene Schochler, wife, Mary Lou Schochler, and various loving Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his children: Son, Don C. Schochler and wife Pier, grand daughters, Summer Filosa and husband Joel, Lori Rao and husband Joe, a son, David R. Schochler and wife Beth, granddaughters, Beverly Joyce and husband Sean, Natalie King and husband, Nate. A daughter, Debbie Schochler McKnight and husband Randy, grandchildren, Russell Currier and wife Rachel, great-grand daughter, Olivia, granddaughter Scarlett Matherly, great-grand daughter Drew, great-grandson Jake, granddaughter, Callie Holloway, husband Brett and grandchildren, Aubry, Jaclyn and Jewel McKnight. A son, Dan Schochler, grand daughters, Katy, Cassy and Alyssa Schochler, daughter in law, Ginger Schochler, brother, Herman Lewis Schochler, wife Marilyn, sister Nannette Broussard, her husband Ronnie, Brother in law, Don Jones and numerous nieces and nephews, who were devoted to and loved their “Uncle Russell” very, very much.

We will miss our dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle and friend, his pranks, his sense of humor, his stories and his “Schochler Smirk”.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Bristow, Oklahoma.