Russell H. "Rusty Vinyard - 1941 -1970

        Russell Vinyard became a member of The Texas Highway Department, later to be renamed Texas Department of Public Safety, in 1935. It was mostly a motorcycle (Indian, not Harley) department in those days. Times were still hard, compliments of the "Big Wall Street Crash." When asked if he could ride a motorcycle, the answer, of course, was yes. Actually, never having ridden even a bicycle, there were a few nervous and tight moments. The riding turned out pretty well, due to Rusty’s strength and determination, but when it came time to stop – that was another matter. Once more strength and determination came into play; he dug his heels in the ground and brought that "Hog" to a stop. Later, he became one of the most proficient and safe riders of that time.
        His first assignment after school and training was in El Paso, Texas, the end of the earth to him. Russell and Jo loaded up their meager possessions and lit out for El Paso – Russell on the motorcycle and Jo in their fully loaded ford with a three-month-old baby daughter, Kibbie Ann.
        His performance of his duties was so exemplary there, that he was soon moved to Tyler, Texas. This was a good place to be for about six years. The next move was to Athens, Texas not to remain long before he was sent to Center, Texas on a special assignment, which turned into a lifetime of service. This was in 1941 and war was everywhere. Russell was by himself in Center until around 1943 when Cloyd Black became his partner. Cloyd and Mary Black lived on the corner of Kennedy and Tenaha Streets in one side of Miss Bertha Massey’s home. A lot of people shared their homes in those days because of the war.
        Russell, Jo and Kibbie lived on Kennedy Street, right behind Miss Bertha’s house. She had a small garden spot between the houses. This is where Russell first got into the cattle business, with a white face heifer names Shelby Jean. His herd would later grow to almost 50 head. They moved several times before finally buying 10 acres on the Tenaha Highway where they built a home, a barn and a chicken house. These years, to make ends meet, Russell was busy during off time raising chickens, cows, pigs and other assorted things.
            Russell and Cloyd built houses and also built the first chicken processing plant in Center.
           During his years on the force, Russell was always very involved with young people - one of these being Newton W. (Dub) Clark. He gave Dub a ride on his motorcycle one time and Dub decided then he wanted to be a Highway Patrolman - which he later did and became one of the best and longest partners Russell ever had. What a team they were. It would be fun to have all the stories written down that these two could tell. You could always depend on their fairness, but their discipline, too. Later another young man, Maxie Eaves, became Russell’s partner
        It was a very unusual situation for a Highway Patrolman to stay in a place long. Most wanted to climb the ladder, get promotions, etc. Russell was content to remain just a Highway Patrolman and keep his family firmly rooted in one place. He loved his work, he loved his church, and he loved the people in the many counties he patrolled. He was proud to be a Texas Highway Patrolman and serve his state.
        During his years at Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos, he became fast friends with a young man named Lyndon B. Johnson. They remained friends lifelong. Lyndon became President of the United States and invited Russell to join him in a security capacity in Washington. Russell’s reply was, "Lyndon, you’ll probably be president for four years, I intend to stay in Center the rest of my life."
        Russell retired in 1970, and since his daughter no longer lived in the state, he and Jo decided to move "back home" to Staples, where he was born and where all his and Jo’s families still lived. They embarked on a new life. It was a full and happy life; full of service to his community, church and whoever else came into the circle of his life.
        Jo passed away in 1988, at which time Kibbie and her husband decided to move to Staples to fill the void, which was left after 60 years of marriage to Jo.
        Russell was very much the Macho Man right up to the day he suffered a brain stem stroke and passed away quietly and peacefully in 1993. Russell was loved and respected by those who knew him, feared and sometime hated by those who did not know him. He was a GOOD man.

Kibbie Vinyard Cook

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