Russell Carl Vanbiber

December 10, 1933 – July 26, 2020

Russell Carl Vanbiber Jr. died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Spring, Texas, on Sunday morning, July 26, 2020.

“Russ” was born December 10, 1933, in Stroud, Oklahoma, to his parents, Russell and Belva Vanbiber. He met Norma Jean Severe when he moved to Perry, Oklahoma, in 8th grade. They married on August 5, 1954, and enjoyed 65+ years of marriage. Russ graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Petroleum Engineering and went to work for Exxon for 39 years. A passion throughout his adult life was studying the Bible and teaching in Sunday School. He took greatest pride in his three sons, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Russ was beloved husband of his wife, Norma Jean Severe Vanbiber; loving brother of Loretta Faye Carson; devoted father of Russell Carl Vanbiber III, Craig Alan Vanbiber, his wife Jamie Gautreau Vanbiber, Scott Evan Vanbiber, and his wife Melissa Daniels Vanbiber; dearest Grandpa of Russell Vanbiber IV, Linda Vanbiber, Rebecca Vanbiber, Hannah Vanbiber Wagner and husband Ben Vanbiber Wagner, Sarah Vanbiber Yepishin and husband Sergei Yepishin, Sam Vanbiber, and Zack Vanbiber; Great-Grandpa of Isaiah, Simon, and Mila Yepishin; uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers-in-law, Stanley Carson, LeRoy Severe, and Don Severe.

A private family funeral service will be livestreamed on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Burial will follow several days later at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Russ’s memory to the church he loved and in which he was active for twenty years, Cy-Fair Christian Church, 9730 Grant Rd., Houston, TX 77070.