Russell Lee Lindsey

Russell Lee Lindsey passed away on June 7, 2023, at the age of 62, following a brief illness.  A lifelong resident of Oklahoma, Russell was born in Clinton, to William and Sandra Lindsey, and had one sibling.  He lived most of his life in Norman.

Russ’ life can be summed up in the following quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”  He absolutely enjoyed life and accomplished more in the time he had than many who have decades more.  He will be remembered for his wonderful smile, his laughter and twinkling blue eyes.

Russ had a successful and varied working life punctuated by many achievements.  He was always the man with a solution.  Russ began his career as a typewriter repairman with IBM in 1981.  He had the largest territory in Oklahoma with a 100% satisfaction rate.  He quickly moved into mainframe computer repair and then transitioned to PC design.  After IBM, Russ became the Director of Computer Integrated Services at the Oklahoma State Department of Health and shepherded them through the Y2K changeover.  In 1999, Russ started his career with SAIC, supporting the US Marshall Service.  He loved that job and the people he worked with.  He spent 10 years with SAIC that time, rising to Deputy Regional Manager.  His next career move was to The Museum of the Bible where he managed the Travelling Museum infrastructure and travelled extensively, including a month in Argentina.  In 2018, Russ returned to SAIC, this time supporting the FAA.  He was so proud of this team and their accomplishments especially the way they maintained their professionalism throughout the pandemic.

Russ pursued many hobbies over the years, he was a musician, photographer, private pilot, sailor, and all-around adventurer.  He enjoyed travelling to new places and was not content to stay in a resort setting, he wanted to get a feel for the reality of the communities he visited.

Russ treasured his family and friends above all else.  He met and married his wife, Lea, 30 years ago and they had one son, Jackson.  He was a devoted and loving husband and father.  They travelled extensively and enjoyed spending time together.  He and Jackson established a weekly father-son lunch date that they both treasured and maintained for 15 years.  Wherever he went, Russ made friends through work and his various hobbies.

Russell is survived by his wife, Lea; and his son, Jackson, of Norman; his father, William ‘Bill’ Lindsey and stepmother, Charlene; his in-laws, Ron and Deanna Eades, Michael Osburn and his wife Nita, and their children.  He was preceded in death by his older brother, Joe.