Sperry, Oklahoma - Russell Emery Wright, 86, died on December 19, 2025, surrounded by his family at his home on Skiatook Lake in Osage County, Oklahoma. His memorial service will be held on January 17, 2026, at First Christian Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, 411 W Matthews Ave. The service will begin at 11:00 AM and will be officiated by Sondra Ladd. The interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine, Iowa at a later date. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation of Stillwater is in charge of arrangements

Russ was born June 19, 1939, in Muscatine, Iowa, the son of Paul Emery Wright and Bernice Wright, née Calvalege. After graduating from Muscatine High School, he attended the University of Dubuque on a track scholarship. He later transferred to Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology and a Master's Degree in Entomology. He went on to complete his PhD. in Entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

While at Iowa State, Russ met Betty Throckmorton. They married in 1963. Their first two children, Shelly and Dan, were born in Wisconsin. Russ moved his young family to Ontario, Canada, where he joined the Department of Environmental Biology at the University of Guelph. Their third child, Jason, was born there.

In 1976, Russ and his family moved to Oklahoma, where he joined the Department of Entomology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. He served as an instructor, researcher, and in 1992 was named Department Head until his retirement in 2004. During his career, he authored more than 60 journal articles, over 30 OSU and Extension publications and has presented his research at conferences and elsewhere over 60 times. Russ also mentored many graduate students during his tenure at OSU.

Russ was actively involved in community service throughout his life. He volunteered as a Big Brother in the early 1970's, providing support and mentorship to a young man there. He volunteered to be Pack Master during his sons' time in the Cub Scouts. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club for many years, serving in various leadership roles. He also was a longtime and active member of First Christian Church in Stillwater. After retirement, he added volunteer work with Our Daily Bread in Stillwater and with the OSU Emeriti Association.

He was a devoted and involved father and husband who shared his love of the outdoors with his children. He also passed on his integrity, his compassion and empathy, and his work ethic to his children.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald Wright, and sister, Jean Brase.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Wright; his children, Shelly Norris (Randy), Daniel Wright (Brooke), and Jason Wright (Kallie); and his grandchildren, Haladar, Veda, and Brandon. He is also survived by his siblings Vernon Wright, Melvin Wright, Eileen Luba, Lorri Dicks, and Bernadine Brown, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Daily Bread in Stillwater (www.ourdailybreadstillwater.org).