Donny Russell Pogue

28 May 1948 – 10 March 2019

Our brother, Donny Russell, was born in Winona, MS, in 1948 to loving parents, Russell Pogue and Bessie Peacock Pogue. When Mother went into labor, someone called the only Café in tiny Isola where Daddy was farming. There were no rural phone lines so the message was relayed farm house to farm house until it got to Daddy’s farm. Daddy left immediately to see his second born, a precious baby boy! Being a farm boy, it is no wonder that in high school, Donny was in the “Future Farmers of America” Club and that he farmed with Daddy after he graduated from Greenville High School, Greenville, MS.

Donny had a very strong work ethic and wanted to be the best at his job, just like his daddy. He started a lawn mowing business as a young boy. Later he became manager of a Sonic Restaurant, VP of the Loan Department at Park Cities Bank, and then enjoyed trucking until he retired. He bought an 18-wheeler Kenworth big rig in his favorite color blue and enjoyed the sights and historical venues. He told us once that a police officer stopped him, told him he was going 80 miles an hour uphill, and he was wondering just how fast that truck would go. Donny replied, “If you had left me alone, we would have both found out.” His sense of humor got him out of that ticket. On a more serious note, he won the coveted Million Mile Jacket for driving a million miles without an accident.

Even as a boy, Donny loved to drive. Daddy bought him an old red pickup truck but would not let him drive it until he got a Driver’s Permit. He did get to sit in it and start it on weekends. That red truck eventually became known by his classmates as “Donny’s tough truck” and it was at every outdoor pep rally, filled with kids.

If Donny went to church on Sunday night, Mother would let him drive some friends eight miles to Greenville for delicious Shipley donuts. They would run into other teens and before long, there would be a drag race challenge, unbeknownst to our parents. When he got his yellow Ford Fairlane 500, there were serious challenges and our parents found out. They got him on a track to do official drag racing and they accompanied him and rooted for him as he competed in different towns. We have a picture of seven of his Drag Race trophies.

Donny also liked to work on cars as a teen. It was not unusual for us to come home from school to find a vehicle motor hanging from a tree and Don surrounded by boys learning how to “soup up” an engine. Also, when our parents left town, Don would undo the family car mufflers so they would be very loud. The sound embarrassed us siblings but Don would roll down the window and say, “Listen to that sweet music.” For Christmas, 1963, Don gave me Performance Glass Pack Mufflers, described today as “that classic deep sound.” What cherished memories!

His love of cars was a lifelong obsession. In one friend’s words, “Don loved cars and auto auctions. He loved going to the Texas State Fair and the Car Show every fall. The Car Show was one of his favorite events.” Other interests

over his lifetime include motor cross racing, boating, motor home trips, and a passion for playing pool. We have pictures of those trophies, too.

Don’s favorite song was Marty Robbin’s BIG IRON and he was also an Elvis fan. He loved music but stood on the sidelines at dances in high school. Recently, I saw a picture of him doing a dance move with a woman and that brought to mind the time, years ago, that Don volunteered to enter a twist contest with me, his sister. After we won, all I could say was, “I didn’t know you could dance!” He said there were lots of things he could do that I didn’t know about.

Donny Russell was full of surprises, could reel off one joke after another, and saw humor in almost everything. He was blessed with a great personality and his friends describe him as honest, dependable, and careful with his money. He would find the best deal in town for his buds to go to lunch. We would describe Donny as sentimental, his soft spot being family. To those closest to him, he was known by his favorite expression, GET A GRIP.

A private graveside service will be held at Mount Zion Church in Mississippi. Donny Russell leaves behind two grieving siblings, two ex-wives, two sons, an aunt, cousins, and extended family.

Donny did not tell his family he was seriously ill, he did not want us to worry, but he told his “friend family.” They stuck by him, just as they had in previous years, through thick and thin, through good times and bad. They showed

him love and kindness every day of his life. Our family wants to thank Donny’s friend family for all the sunshine they brought into his life and for including us in the memories, celebrations, and birthday parties. You have honored our brother in the most endearing ways and we are forever grateful. Family and friends love you, Donny. Betsy and Yancy love you, our brother, and love is eternal.

Love Each Other With Genuine Affection,

And Take Delight In Honoring Each Other.

Romans 12:10

No services have been scheduled.