John "Big John" Wiltz Russell

John Wiltz “Big John” Russell, 57, died Thursday, November 5, 2009. He lost a brief battle with a rare, unknown heart cancer. The oncology dept. at UAMS, will be studying his heart for research purposes, to help others.

Big John was born the eldest child of the late Clyde Jerrell and June (Brooks) Russell, July 11, 1952, in Little Rock. He worked in the smokehouse at C. Finkbeiner, Inc/Smokey Hollow Foods for about 10 years and the Arkansas Democrat for 17 years.

Big John’s passion was driving a school bus for the Pulaski County School district for 23 years. He was well known by the kids on his Jacksonville routes. He enjoyed dressing as Santa before Christmas break and giving out candy canes to “his” kids. John enjoyed his special assignments on ball games and field trips that took him all over the state. After retirement Big John took to the road delivering new school buses all over the U.S. He also transported engineers for the Union Pacific Railroad.

Big John is survived by his wife, Rhonda (Manous) Russell of Jacksonville, AR.; son, Bryon Russell of Sherwood, AR; daughter, Stephanie Russell of Jacksonville, FL; one sister, Mary Russell-Evans of Little Rock; one brother, David Russell of Sherwood, AR; four granddaughters, Hailey Crotts of Little Rock, AR; Autumn and Rebeka Russell of Cabot, AR, and Makayla Russell of Sherwood, AR; one grandson, Jacob Russell of Jacksonville, AR; and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m., at Roller-Owens Funeral Home Chapel, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Little Rock (501-791-7400) with Reverend Don Cooper officiating. A private burial will be at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale, AR. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the John W. Russell Memorial Fund at any Centennial Bank location.