Bixby Public Schools is back in session after fall break but without a vital part of their community.
An unexpected accident claimed the life of one of the district’s treasured custodians.
Joe Russell had been taking care of district buildings for four years. In that time, he made quite an impact.
“I really just think it had to do with his personality and his attitude,” said Kelly Marsaln-McBride, a seventh-grade geography teacher. “He was just a positive person that always had something to say, he always spoke to people, and he was just someone that everyone was just kind of drawn to.”
She worked in the middle school while Russell worked there before he was moved to the high school. The middle school teacher considered him more of a friend than a coworker.
“He was just always so positive, always had a smile on his face,” she said. “I think that was one of the reasons so many people feel so connected.”
KJRH After he was moved to the high school, Marsaln-McBride said Russell still came to work at the middle school in the evenings.