JESS AND RUTH RUSSELL

Jess and Ruth Russell were recently notified by Drumright's Ambassadors that they were being recognized as Drumright's Citizens of the month which really is quite unusual considering that they never really moved to Drumright -- and now they wouldn't think about going back to Tulsa.

The Russell's relocation took place over a period of years. They lived in Tulsa where Jess, a native of Owasso, OK, worked for Tuloma, Inc., an industrial construction which concentrated on refineries, chemical processing plants, and publishing houses. Ruth, who grew up in Glenpool, OK, was a decorator for JC Penney's. Russell had heard about a "nice little 9-hole golf course in Drumright" and began to drive over when he had a little time for golf, thus avoiding the waiting at crowded Tulsa courses. One day he mentioned to some of his new Drumright acquaintances that he wouldn't mind owning a little weekend cottage near Drumright Golf Course so he could "get away from the rat race" without so much time lost driving back and forth. One of the local golfers just happened to own some land adjoined to the golf course and a deal was made. Russell bought the land and had a house built on it and he and Ruth leisurely commuted. But their time in Drumright soon stretched to longer and longer periods of time, and so they found they were no longer commuting to Drumright, but were commuting to Tulsa.

Then Mrs. Russell quit her job of 15 years at Penney's and she and her sister, Lou Wayland, who with her husband now live next door to the Russells, established an Arts and Crafts Shop in Drumright. One day they heard the old Tharel Hotel was for sale and Jess and Ruth began to dream and imagine all the possibilities of owning the landmark building, one of Drumright's buildings which has been placed on the national register of historical buildings. Finally, the purchase was made and Jess left his job of 30 years at Tuloma on a Monday, and "really went to work on Tuesday." The result is a busy office supply store in addition to gifts and art supplies. An adjoining section of the old lobby contains paint and wallpaper. In addiditon, they have provided a bus stop and tell advertising stories of their experiences which they both appear to relish.

Ruth told of one nice-looking lad, possibly 16 or 17, who had moved with his parents to this area from Chicago. He boasted of belonging to the "toughest gang in Chicago" and proudly displayed tatoos on his arms. He told of being "cut up and beat up." When Ruth asked why he was returning to Chicago he indicated that the gang was where he belonged. Before he boarded the bus he hesitated and then hugged Ruth's neck. A day later, her phone rang and the desperate young man asked her to look around for a telephone number he had mislaid -- the only connection he had with "his gang." Mrs. Russell urged him to come back and give it another try.

Occasionally they meet hungry, destitute people and the Russels give much credit to Drumright's Ministerial Alliance who have always responded when called. Sometimes Jess and Ruth help the needy ones and find such experiences highly rewarding.

Jess Russell's hobbies are golf and gardening and "helping people." Ruth's interests are oil painting and sewing, a hobby which may become more of a business since she hopes to add draperies to their services. Also, Ruth believes strongly in continuing educaiton and tries to learn something new everyday. She speaks proudly of her five sons, three of whom were in Vietnam, and of course, there are grandchildren, the oldest of which is seventeen and a new one on the way. Their sons and their families come home often which is a ounce of pleasure to the Russells. One son, Dusty, and wife, Peggy, have come to Drumright to make their home and have modernized and renovated a portion of the second floor of the Tharel into a comfortable and attractive apartment. They, too, are excited about living in Drumright and are eager to become more active in the community. People enjoy all sorts of handcrafts and needlwork, and her favorite sport is bowling. Dusty looks forward to fishing and hunting.

The Russells are active in the Lutheran Church in Cushing. Thus, there "weekend getaway" has become a full time residence and although they nver have decided to move to Drumright, they wouldn't think of living anywehre else.

And however - or whatever - or whenever - the transition was made, Drumright became much richer for Jess and Ruth being here.