Russell Leroy (Russell) Rupe, 91, of San Antonio, Texas, passed from this life on November 22, 2022. Russell was born in Hornell, New York on February 17, 1931 to Russell L. Rupe, Sr. and Marian Bybee.

He attended Albert Lea High School (Albert Lea, Minnesota) and St. Mary's University (San Antonio, Texas) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Russell enlisted in the United States Air Force on April 4, 1949 and retired on September 1, 1975 as a Senior Master Sargent. He liked to say he saw the world on multiple tours of duty, some of which took him to Korea during the Korean War, and Thailand during the Viet Nam war.

Throughout his life Russell enjoyed playing darts, golfing, tending his vegetable and flower gardens, and fishing at the Texas Gulf Coast. In his later years Russell enjoyed taking cruises and spending time at various casinos. Russell was a charming and generous man, and loved to kid around with people.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Russ and Marian, brother Carl, his wives, Peggy Edna Sullivan, and Rosella C. Johnson, and his life partner of many years, Claudia F. Howell.

He is survived by his 4 children: Laraine (Raymond) Mechler, Steven (Brenda) Rupe, Valerie Stone, and Ina Evans; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Richard, Robert, and Donald, and sisters, Dorothy, Betty, and Edna Mae; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas on March 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.