Russell Tefertiller

Russell Tefertiller, 73, of Pampa, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 in Amarillo.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Monday, February 6, 2023 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Matthew Gary officiating. Cremation will follow the service under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory. 

Russell was born July 4, 1949 in Higgins to Hubert and Vera (Garrett) Tefertiller.  He attended school in Arnett, Oklahoma, graduating in 1967.  He graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater in 1971 with a degree in Agricultural Economics.  Russell met Candy Cole in Oklahoma City in 1972 and the two married in May of 1974. He held several jobs during his life including Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Northwestern Electric Cooperative, Tonkawa Refinery, Sid Richardson Carbon Black and retiring from Celanese in 2010.  Russell was proud of several accomplishments including winning Grand Champion steer of Oklahoma in 1966, but was most proud of his two sons, Cole and Dakota.  Always quick with a joke and a story, he was a caring and compassionate man who truly loved his family and the many friends he made throughout the years.  Russell was baptized in the First Christian Church in Arnett,  and was a faithful Christian. Freemasonry had become an important part of his life in later years and was raised a Master Mason in St. Albans Lodge #192 in Arnett, in 1975 where he was a 3 time past master.  Russell later became a member of Pampa Lodge #966 and Miami Lodge #805.  He became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite mason in the Guthrie, Oklahoma valley and later transferred his membership to the Lubbock valley and was a fixture at reunions until health problems slowed him down. Russell was also a member of Borger York Rite Bodies. 
 
He was preceded in death by his wife Candy; his parents; and his mother and father in law,  Venora and Don Cole.

Russell is survived by his two sons, Cole Tefertiller of Pampa and Dakota Tefertiller and wife Julie of Smyer; sister, Leatha Thimling and husband Ted of Arnett, Oklahoma; two sisters in laws, Gail Martin and husband Bill and Donna Finch and husband Roy both of Pampa; several nieces, nephews, and numerous extended family members as well as a host of friends.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Scottish Rite Learning Center of West Texas, 1101 70th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79412.

The family will greet friends at The Harbor Community Event Center, 708 N. Hobart, immediately following the service.