Russell "Rusty" "Papa" Baggett

Russell (“Rusty” “Papa”) Ben Baggett of Bushland, Texas passed away Monday, May 27, 2024.  The family will receive friends from 5:30 – 7:30 pm on Thursday May 30, 2024 at the funeral home, 4180 Canyon Drive in Amarillo. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, May 31, 2024, at 2:00 pm at The Church at Bushland, 1800 FM 2381, Bushland, TX  79012, Pastor Jeff Ponder officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Rowley Funeral Home.

Rusty was born March 13, 1951, in Brownfield, Texas to Eldon and Theda Baggett. He was raised in Brownfield and spent his time playing football, baseball and running across cotton bales at the Cotton Compress. He played college football at McMurry University for a few years then moved to Lubbock where he met the love of his life, Velma Crump.  They married on July 28th, 1979.   Earlier in their marriage, he and Velma spent a handful of years raising the older 2 kids and running a bus barn in Melrose, New Mexico where chickens and mud holes were daily entertainment for the older two kiddos. He lived out the majority of his life in Sundown, Texas working in the oilfield as an automation technician. He would get called out at all hours of the night, or in stormy weather for downed pumps. He was never one to complain.  He worked hard and loved his family harder.  He took his family on many adventures growing up…they spent many spring breaks on the ski slopes and summers camping in the mountains of Colorado. He baited many hooks and sometimes he was hooked more than the fish. His kids thought they were living the high life when they moved from a 5-person tent to a pop-up camper. After retiring, he and Velma moved to Bushland, Texas to be closer to the grandkids.  He found great joy in his six grandchildren and was the go-to “pick-up” person for after school and daycare… I would venture to say he was the boys’ favorite. He and Velma loved to travel all over and to pull their 5th wheel camper and camp.  They were camp hosts in Lake City, Colorado the past few years.  I’m telling you he was a stickler for the rules, so you better not go over that 5 MPH campground speed limit, or he was going to let you know about it.

Rusty loved watching his grand girls with any and all of their sports; he rarely missed a game and was looking forward to watching his grand boys as they got older. He was a devout man of faith and a fellow deacon and committed volunteer on the security team at The Church at Bushland.  The kids going into Wednesday night church loved to talk, high-five, or give Rusty a big ole hug. He was a great hugger.  Never in the spotlight, he was always a bright light to anyone that met him.

Rusty was preceded in death by both parents, his stepfather, Joe Davis, his uncle’ J. B. Jobe, and his aunt, Jayne Rackley.

He is survived by his wife, Velma Baggett; his three children, Regan Hall and husband, Brock, Tanner Baggett and wife, Brittany, and Ryder Baggett and wife, Sandra; six grandchildren: Braylen and  Rayce Hall, Linkoln and Jackson Baggett , and Cayson and Canon Baggett: and a brother Kelly Baggett and Uncle Sonny, of Lubbock, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice.  Condolences can be sent to Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Dr. Amarillo, TX 79109.