Russell L. Clanagan

Russell Clanagan, 75, of Ovilla, TX, went home to be with the Lord on February 12, 2023. He was born on September 20, 1947, in McKeesport, PA, to Howard and Theresa Clanagan. Russell accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Duquesne where he was a member of the Sunday School and Junior Choir. He was ordained and served as a deacon from 1975 to 1980. Russell graduated from Duquesne High School in 1965. After working a short stint in the U.S. Steel Mill, he was drafted into the US Army in 1966, serving in Darmstadt Germany, assigned as a military police officer. He was honorably discharged in 1968. Russell began his career as a corrections officer at the Allegheny County Jail and joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 1970, where he was one of seven Black cadets. He began as a Trooper and advanced to the rank of Corporal in 1976, Sergeant in 1978 and Lieutenant in 1981, serving as Station Commander at the Avondale, Beaver Falls, York and Findlay Stations. He rose to the rank of Captain in 1988, commanding the Pennsylvania Turnpike for six years. He retirement in 1995, after 25 years of service, leaving a legacy of positive change and firsts within the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police as well as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Upon retiring from the Pennsylvania State Police, Russell went on to become the second Black Police Commissioner in the city of York, PA. Russell earned his Associate of Arts. Degree at Beaver County Community College in Monaca, Pennsylvania. A Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Pittsburgh and continued his education at Pennsylvania State University becoming certified as a Secondary Education School Teacher, specializing in Social Studies. In 1996, Russell moved to Tucson, Arizona to become Chief of Police in Sells, AZ, on the Tohono O’odham reservation. Retiring from law enforcement, Russell served on many boards and committees. In 2007, he was elected as city councilman for the Town of Marana serving a four-year term. Russell and his wife Patti moved to Ovilla, TX, in 2013 to be close to 2 of his daughters and grandchildren. In 2016, Russell fulfilled a longtime dream and obtained his real estate license for Century 21. Russell loved his family and was a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved listening to Myron Cope on the radio. He was an advent cyclist riding in the El Tour De Tucson annually for 8 years. He loved current events reading his newspaper from front to back and somewhat of a political junky. Russell was proceeded in death by father and mother, Howard,and Theresa Clanagan; daughter, Sydney Clanagan; brother Donald Clanagan; and sister Diana Miller. He is survived by wife of 13 years Patti Gingrich and children Robin (Alex) Andrus; Gina Murray; Eugene Clanagan; Leslie Clanagan; Terri (Charles) Green; and Cheri Clanagan. 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Brothers Roy and Clarence Clanagan; sisters, Sharon and Kimberly Clanagan; and a host of nieces and nephews. Saturday, February 18, 2023 - 11 AM Streaming Live - Creekstone Church - 7708 Mapplewood Ave., North Richland Hills, TX 76180 https://www.facebook.com/creekstonefw?mibextid=LQQJ4d In lieu of flowers please send donations to Tu Nidito in Tucson, AZ 3922 N. Mountain ave., Tucson, AZ - info@tunidito.org - 520-322-9155