Russell Denny
Russell Lee 'Rusty' Denny Sr., Ampa U “Coming day, 71, of Poplar died Nov. 23, 2023, in Poplar.
He was born Dec. 28, 1951, to Vearle and Eunice (Blacktail) Denny. The youngest, he joined his siblings, Nancy Denny Dumont, Sunny Bill Whitehead, Iris “Cissie” Anderson, Orrin Denny, Jeanne Denny Reinlasoder and Lyle Denny. He grew up in Poplar for most of his life.
He worked many jobs, but his main occupation was truck driving. He was an old school cowboy, living and participating in the cowboy way. He had a great honor to be able to coach his nephew Zach Atkinson in his bull riding days.
He also practiced in his traditional ways, which he took great pride in. He is a member of the original Bad Land Singers. He followed the powwow trail and gained numerous friends and family throughout Indian country.
In June 1967, he met Janice Chapman, where he gained a daughter Bernita Chapman Granbois, who was the first to call him Dad. Later, they had one daughter, Vearlene Emerine.
In 1983, he met Andy Gray. To this union, they had one daughter and two boys, Benicia Gray, Russell Lee Jr. and Royce “Miles” Denny.
In 1989, he met Gwen Gourneau. To this union, Holly Rae was born.
In 1993, he met Claudia Scott and welcomed into his life, Neal Garrick, Miranda Rose, Carla Mckenzie and Alexis Dawn. Later, Thomas Lee, Debbie Lynn and KayLee Marie were born.
He took the rope of a father figure to Jalee, Zack and PJ after his brother JD died.
