Dodge City - Russel Lupton, 104, died July 24, 2018 at Brookdale Senior Living, Dodge City.  He was born on October 19, 1913 at Gate, Oklahoma, the son of Harvey D. and Ada (Newkirk) Lupton, in the dugout where his mother had homesteaded.

Russel attended grade school and high school in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and graduated from high school at Friends Haviland Academy in Haviland. He then went on to receive his Bachelors of Science Degree from N.W. State Teachers College in Alva, Oklahoma. Russel married Estella Jane Cosby at the Star Ranch west of Buffalo, Oklahoma on August 28, 1939. She preceded him in death on January 13, 2004 following their 65 ^th wedding anniversary.

Russel farmed and milked cows for a living until he started teaching school. He then taught school at Crooked Creek, Kibby, and Driftwood, Oklahoma, followed by Fowler and Dodge City, where he taught most of his years before retiring from teaching in May 1978 and farming in 1982. Russel also took many pictures in the area for weddings, family, graduation and other events under Lupton's Photography.

He was a member of the First Missionary Church, where he was a faithful attendee, taught Sunday School classes, and was a Deacon and Church Board Member. Russel was also a member of NEA and K.R.T.A., and was the District No 4 Director from 1986-1990. He worked with F.A.S.T. in Dodge City, delivered for Meals on Wheels, and was active with the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame.

Russel is survived by three daughters, Mary Esther Keller and husband David of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Joyce Reiss and husband Cliff of Dodge City, and Phyllis (PJ) Rucker and husband Steven of Clearwater; 6 grand children, Stephen Keller and wife Amy, Lisa Rehbine and husband Jeffrey, Jeffery Rodriguez, Paul Rodriguez, Darin Reiss and wife Laury, and Kevin Reiss; ten great grand children, Kerrymaie, Korey, Kaylee, Kodi, Kurt, Katie, Annie, Ashland, Abigail (Jane), and Lilah; and one great great grandson, Mason. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Estella; brother Emerson Lupton; and sister Esther Carpenter.

Funeral service will be held at Grace Community Church in Dodge City on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 10:00 AM with Pastor Kirk Larson presiding.  Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Dodge City on Friday, July 27, 2018 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the family present from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Barclay College or Grace Community Church in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.