This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news but is just as instrumental in making our community the strong and beautiful place we all know and love.
John Russell, 54, has lived in Fulton his whole life. For the past 11 years, Russell has worked rebuilding engines. Russell graduated from Fulton High School in 1984. On Monday, Russell was spending time with his son Evan, 9, at the Memorial Park splash pad.
Q: What was your first job?
A restaurant. My mom and dad worked at a restaurant up where McDonald's is. It was so long ago. I was about 14 or 15, and it was a steakhouse.
Q: Who inspires you most?
Probably my mom and dad and now my sons. With my parents, it's them taking us on vacations and stuff and growing us up real good.
My boss, Betty, that's also who's inspired me the most. My boss gave me the chance to work and I don't know where I'd be without it.
Q: What have you done in life that was most fulfilling?
Just God taking care of me. I've had a lot of highs and lows. Actually, he took care of me on an accident in '98. I almost got killed in an accident. I got hit by a semi on Interstate 70 on my way to work.
Q: What is something you are proud of?
My children, basically. And where I live at - I got my own house, and I'm proud of my house.
Q: What profession would you like to attempt?
Oh, man. I've been welding a lot my whole life. I super like welding.
Q: What profession would you not like to do?
Oh, probably the government, like the president. It's too much these days on both sides. You can't trust anybody. That's the main thing, the trust.
Q: What is something no one would guess about you?
I'm easy-going really, if they knew me. I pretty well know what's going on as I've lived longer.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?
Probably just going to school here. Just going through school back then and seeing my son now. Everything's changed. Just remembering everything - classmates, growing up here. There's a lot of memories.