Richard “Blue” Russell was born March 24, 1947 Poplar Montana to Joe H. Russell and Eunice Cottonwood. Richard went to be with the creator on October 28, 2017. He attended school at Cannon Ball and Ft. Yates in North Dakota. After his schooling he entered the Army. He was sent to Vietnam from July 18, 1967 thru August 1968. After his tour, he returned to Fort Peck to reconnect with friends and family. Richard “Blue” Russell enjoyed playing in a band in Fort Yates titled “Bobby Walker” band. He enjoyed telling stories of his travels and journey from state to state. He had a story that was filled with laughter once he told the story to you or whoever would listen. Richard “Blue” Russell excelled in track and baseball in his younger years in school. Richard never married but he had many nieces and nephews in Cannonball and Ft. Peck area. The family would like to say thank you to the staff in Lewistown Mental Health facility and Faith Lutheran Home staff for such kindness and respect you showed Richard during his stay. A special thank you to his brother in law, Adrian Chuck Spotted Bird for the support he showed Richard in his last years. Richard is survived by family in Cannonball and relatives of Ft. Peck Indian Reservation. He was preceded in death by his parents Joe H. Howard and Eunice Cottonwood; and sister, Bernice Russell-Spotted Bird.
Services will be held at the Clayton Stevenson Chapel in Wolf Point Montana on November 2, 2017 Thursday at 7:00pm and funeral services at the Brockton Cultural Center on November 3, 2017 at 11:00am. He will take his last road trip to Ft. Kipp where he will be laid to rest.