Obit of Wade, Russell - Ottawa County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 15 Nov 2009 Return to Ottawa County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/ottawa/ottawa.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Wade, Russell Born June 22, 1917 Died December 9, 2006 Russell was born in Fairland, Oklahoma. He moved to Chatsworth, California in 1929 where he attended Hollywood High School. He participated in various plays, which was his entrée into what became an exciting acting career in Hollywood. Under contract with Universal Studios and RKO, he performed in 64 films. Some of the movies that are shown quite regularly on television are "The Body Snatcher" (the original made in the '40's with Boris Karloff), "The Ghost Ship", "Tall in the Saddle" with John Wayne, "The Iron Major" with Pat O'Brien, and "Bamboo Blonde" with Francis Langford. RKO ran a survey in three major cities to see whom viewers felt had the most potential as an actor. Russell had the highest rating of anybody in the studio. During the filming of "The Body Snatcher", he developed pneumonia. He nonetheless finished the movie. Immediately thereafter, Russell and his wife, Janie, came to the desert for a one-week stay. They stayed on a ranch in Indio and then visited Smoke Tree Ranch. There were only about 3,500 people in Palm Springs; yet, he knew the desert had a great future. He and Janie agreed then that he would try the real estate business for one year. 1946 was the beginning of his outstanding real estate career in the Coachella Valley. Janie, to whom he was married for 63 years, opened a business called "Janie Hats". It was a smashing success. "Janie Hats" were worn by Palm Springs residents and visitors, members of Eldorado and Thunderbird Country Clubs, and shipped all over the country. Janie was a Founding Member of Desert Hospital Guild and participated in many charities in the desert, including Desert Circus in Palm Springs. Russell's stellar traits included great taste, creativity, matchmaking, foresight, imagination, innovation and tremendous pride. He handled the sale of The Desert Sun newspaper to George Cameron, Jr. because he wanted the paper to "grow into something big for the Coachella Valley". Russell, with his partner Lew Levy, negotiated the first 99-year Indian land lease, which is now the Spa Resort and Casino. Russell recognized the great talent of then-unknown William F. Cody. He provided him with free office space and watched as Bill became a renowned architect. One of his first designs was the original Palm Springs Spa Hotel. In the mid-50's, he brought in his best friend, Robert McCulloch, to develop Eldorado Country Club. His on-site office remains active in its original location. With integrity and gentle persuasion, Russell put several separately owned parcels of land together so that The Vintage Club could become a reality. He maintained the on-site office there for the first six years. Russell was a life member of Eldorado Country Club and a member at The Vintage and Reserve Clubs. He was Chairman of the Palm Springs Golf Classic (now the Bob Hope Classic) and secured television rights for the tournament. Russell was awarded a Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on Palm Canyon Drive and was the recipient of the The Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. He was magnanimous in all that he did, achieving success with great morality and a very humble spirit. He made our desert and our lives far better than it was when he arrived. God blessed us for many years with our beloved "Paco". He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, and their daughter, Joanie. He is survived by his son, Jeff; his grand-children, Valerie and Ryan; his great granddaughter, Charlotte; and his extended family, Carol Morton, and Jennifer (Morton) and Michael Walton. Private services will be held this week. A memorial will be scheduled in January. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Scholarship Fund at Eldorado Country Club or to Odyssey Hospice. Published in The Desert Sun on 12/14/2006. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Ottawa County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/ottawa/ottawa.html