John W. Russell, Jr., former resident of Wagoner, Oklahoma passed away Saturday, December 5, 2015.   He was 92 years of age.   John lived the last three years at Via Christi Retirement Village in Ponca City, Oklahoma.   The service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Wagoner, Oklahoma with the Reverend James Hollifield officiating.   The casket will be open prior to the funeral from 8:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church.  Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  John W. Russell, Jr. was born January 8, 1923 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.  Elementary education was received from the Okmulgee Public School system.  He graduated from high school in 1941 and Junior College in 1943 at the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore, Oklahoma where he was named Outstanding Graduate. John married Sally Ann (Dean) Russell September 25, 1943.  They were married 58 years until her death in 2001. John enlisted 1939 in Ordinance Company, Oklahoma 45th Division, Claremore, Oklahoma.  During World War II he served as Platoon Leader, Reconnaissance Company serving in the European Theater of Operations (England, France, Germany, and Austria.) Graduated from Oklahoma University in 1949 and admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association that same year.  He was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives 1946-1952 serving as Speaker Pro Tempore in 1949.   From 1950 to 1952 served with the 45th Division as a Tank Commander with the rank of Captain in Korea.  John served in the 45th Division until his retirement in 1976 as a full Colonel.  Member of the Oklahoma State Senate 1952-1956.  From 1958-1972 he served as the Wagoner County Attorney, Assistant District Attorney 1972-1976, and District Attorney for District #27 from 1976-1983 for Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah and Wagoner Counties. John was a member of the Wagoner Masonic Lodge #98, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bedouin Shrine Temple, Muskogee Oklahoma serving as Potentate in 1972.  Captain Bedouin Temple Mounted Patrol, Royal Order of Jesters Court #99, Muskogee, Oklahoma.  He served as Past President for the Wagoner County Shrine Club, Wagoner Lions Club, and Wagoner County Bar Association and honored as President of the Outstanding Bar Association of Oklahoma.  Member of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Former Trustee of First United Methodist Church, Wagoner, Oklahoma  and former Board member of Wagoner Chamber of Commerce. John was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wagoner, Oklahoma. John was preceded in death by his wife, Sally, parents, brother and sister.   Memorial contributions can be made to the Transportation Fund Bedouin Temple, P. O. Box 1667, Muskogee, Oklahoma or the First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 394, Wagoner, Oklahoma 74477.