He was known for being one of a very few people to walk the streets of Detroit dressed as a Cowboy. This was not an easy task even in today's age. His brother and sister would make fun of him when he would take them places in his Pick-up truck, a 1977 Chevy 4x4 with a 3" body lift and 36.5 Grand Prix tires. They would have to bring their own tapes (there were no CD's back then) into his truck because they could not stand the Country Music that was always playing. In his early years he would stay up late at night listening to the Grand Old Opera. In Tombstone, Arizona he was always known for wearing his stone washed duster and his single jingle-bob spur (which would ring each time he walked).
Russell's roots were laid down in front of him in 1950's when his Grandfather built a rustic log cabin on the lakefront of Anchor Bay, Michigan. Russell claims, "The Cottage is the only reason I am not in jail still today. It (the Cottage) gave me a place to run away to. I was able to fish, swim, and just get away from the world. I stole the keys (not something we advise to anyone) to the place when I was just 16. I bought my own car and would stay there for weeks on end. The rustic get away and the fireplace was heaven sent. My father and mother were divorced and my Uncle Tim was the one who taught me how to fish. Now I teach everyone that I get a chance too. I have fished in every country and state that I have ever been in."
In 1989 he had a patriot streak hit him and with the War right around the corner he enlisted in the United States Army, as a mechanic. This is where his story really takes off. He left Michigan where he became a regular icon of the area. He was involved in his family, work and friends. He spent basic and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He returned to Michigan and married his High School Sweetheart, Patricia. (They had two kids: Alan and Ronnie.) He then left and spent 3 years in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. This was the place that molded Russell's Cowboy personality the most. There was a German / American Rodeo he would hang out at and at Dixie's, the local country bar. Not being but 20 years old Russell never had the chance to hit the bars back home and learn to 2 step. So he learned while stationed there. After his tour he was sent to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He did two different tours at Fort Huachuca with two tours to Korea (Camp Casey and Camp Humphrey) in-between. He is currently stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
While stationed at Fort Huachuca for the first time Russell had a house fire and lost his first wife, Patricia (Patty), and his oldest son, Alan. Leaving his son, Ronnie and himself. After the fire Russell went on and found "The Thomas Ranch" and was hired on to run the place, as the Trail Boss. He also found the Midnight Streakers of America (a local C.B. club) and started the Sierra Vista Chapter and was there president. The 'Midnight Streakers' had no form of recognition or leadership and Russell provided just that. He designed and had printed shirts, hats, jackets, car decals, and membership cards. He organized picnic fundraisers and with the help of the local police he helped on 'Devils Night' and Halloween Over-watch. He also asked for thousands of membership numbers far beyond that of the current membership. He wanted the 7000 numbers. He himself took number 7565. He met a woman on the radio named "KC" 'Casey'. Who was a single mother of three (Ashley, Bridget and Bo.) The two of them fell in love and after a long courtship of seven years they got married.
"We made a complete six pack with all of our kids combined." Russell says smiling. "My son and myself, Casey and her three kids, it was an instant family. I love them all as if they were my own blood." He went on to state that it was not easy for them but it was well worth the effort that they put towards the relationship.
"Russell is a natural born leader." His mother said. "I always said that I could drop him in the middle of the desert and he would make friends." I guess she was right.
Casey says, "It's his outgoing personality that is his best trait. People just like him. Even if we are just standing somewhere it doesn't matter people come right up and start talking to him. It doesn't matter if we are out fishing or standing in line at the grocery department. When I ask whom it was he was talking too he would say he doesn't know. That's my Russell."
Russell has always volunteered for several different organizations and groups. To name a few:
He is a self-taught man: From teaching himself to sing, dance, rope, brand, hunt, and ride a horse. He loves to read books. If he didn't know how to do something he would buy a book and read all about the subject and do Internet searches and talk to people about it. (Although Casey did have to have a lot of patience to teach him how to work on the Ranch.) Then the next thing you know he was the one out there setting the example for others to follow. A prime example of this was fly-fishing he was already in the military for some time before he even thought about fly-fishing. Now he has taught both his sons and several other men from work how to enjoy the sport of 'Fly-Fishing'.
He is a Cowboy in the true sense of the word. "I don't know what you would consider a real Cowboy. They are all just human beings too. Working on a ranch I would consider to-be a real Cowboy." Casey states. "There are no longer any olden day Cowboys, they are all stereotyped now. I think I would consider Russell as my military man now-a-days."
"I do not believe I am a real Cowboy! I believe they are all dead. To be a real Cowboy in my book a person would have rode a horse from Detroit, Michigan to Tombstone, Arizona. It is not the fact that I was born in Detroit that doesn't make me a Cowboy. Even in my youth one phrase has always stuck in my head. 'Go West Young Man, Go West!' If you look at our history all the Cowboys came from back east and settled the West. This is where I believe anyone can be a Cowboy; you don't have to be born in Texas or New Mexico to be a real Cowboy. The one problem that is involved with finding a real Cowboy is; What is a Real Cowboy? If you can answer that for me then a lot of people would be able to say if they are or are not a Real Cowboy." Russell Stated.
Yes Russell wears his Cowboy Hat, his belt buckle, and his boots. But he is more than that; he is a great man and a great father. The world would get along without him but it sure is a better place with this man in it.
His Future Goals:
Short Term Goals:
1. To go to Afghanistan and return safely. (Success!)
2. To retire from the military. (Success!)
3. To create his two other websites for promotion of the Cowboy. (Success!)
(can you guess what two they are?)
Long Term Goals:
1. To become the Worlds most recognized Cowboy (Like that will every happen! lol)
2. To Act in Movies (Westerns) (It is an actual pipe dream. But, he would love a phone call saying come down here we are shooting XYZ Cowboy Movie)
3. To be able to see The Thomas Ranch turn 200 years old (that would put him at 130 years old)