Russel was born December 21, 1950, to Harold and Eleanor (Eggum) Johnson in Glendive, Montana. He lived on the family farm until 1962 when he moved to Sidney with his parents and brothers Darrel, Berk, and Warren.

When he started his senior year in high school, he thought married life looked better and married Sandy Brown on November 12, 1968. Their family soon grew with the addition of two sons: Stacy and Scott.

Russel went to work for Sherman Dynneson on his farm in 1968 and finished Holly Sugar campaigns in 1969 in the rockpile. He went on to work for Collin’s Mercantile (John Deere) until 1970 as a painter and truck driver. After that, he worked for Hi Line Trucking until 1984, when he started his own business – Real Trucking, Inc., where he hauled water for the oilfield until his retirement in April of 2016.

Russel peacefully passed away on Wednesday January 3, 2024, at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney, MT with family by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy; sons Stacy (Marcy) of Sidney, MT and Scott (Rachel) Johnson of Bozeman, MT; grandchildren Jesse, Nick, Ben, and Maddie Johnson; brothers Darrel, Berk (Gail), and Warren Johnson; aunt Yvonne Hartze; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Russel was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Eleanor Johnson; parents-in-law Robert and Ade Brown; sisters-in-law Myra Johnson and Cheryl Garza; and brother-in-law Richard Brown.