Clovis Warren Russell

Warren was born to father, Clovis Ray Russell, and mother, Nelda Bryant Russell, at the family farmhouse outside the town of West, Texas on May 27th, 1951, oldest of three boys (brothers Bruce and Neil). He spent his early childhood on the family farm, playing hide ‘n’ seek in the cornfields, snake hunting and drinking Dr. Peppers. As a youth the family moved to Stephenville, TX, where Clovis Ray owned a furniture store. Warren’s mother, Nelda, passed away when he was just 14 years old. Warren graduated from Stephenville High School and went on to study at the University of Texas, where he first fell in love and married Patsy Duhamel. They had two children, Aaron and Forrest. Though the young marriage did not last, Warren remained a loving, involved father. Warren went on to become a construction engineer in the nuclear and petrochemical industries, which led him to live and travel around the country.

Warren eventually settled in Lake Jackson, TX, where he met his longtime love, Janice Eubank, and daughter Brook. Warren and Janice spent many happy and fulfilling years, raising their three children, experiencing the joy of seeing them grow and start their own families, and all the while enjoy the true richness of life such as good food, wine and company and traveling the back roads near and far. As Janice later became ill, Warren nursed her and they embraced as much of life as Janice’s health would allow until her passing.

Warren moved to Houston to finish his career and retire. It was then that he met and found unexpected late love with his final partner in life, Janet Morrison, adding new loved ones into the growing extended family, and together with Janet was fortunate enough to experience new happiness and exuberance in his final season of life.

Warren had a kind, welcoming and compassionate nature rarely found. His generosity was legendary and his love language was giving thoughtful gifts. He’d never deny a helping hand to a friend or stranger, was a skillful listener that was genuinely engaged and took delight in every conversation, and never has there been a more contented man than Warren when playing with his grandchildren. When it came to his family, step was a four-letter word not part of his vocabulary, and blood relation or in-law meant no difference, he welcomed all and loved each and every one of his far reaching and ever-growing family. Warren was humble enough that he would not have wanted his obituary to make him out to be a saint, and he was the first to admit his flaws, never too proud to apologize for his mistakes, and just like the Good Book says to be, was slow to anger and quick to forgive. Although, for those who on rare occasion witnessed Warren lose his cool, you felt pity for anyone foolish enough to get on his onery side.

Warren’s adventurous early life experience growing up on the family farm sowed the seeds that would one day blossom into a man with an inner calling to be an explorer of the world and life. Warren was an avid reader, lifelong seeker of knowledge and imparter of wisdom and interesting tidbits of information. Not much peaked Warren’s curiosity more than a country dirt road, that he’d spot while driving and do a hairpin turn to follow, often scaring his passengers half to death, because there might be something interesting or beautiful at the end of it. Or while on a wooded hike, there might be a dried up river bed off the beaten path, that had to be trekked because that’s where the best nature hid, only to be found by the chosen few that could see with childlike wonder.

Some of Warren’s words of wisdom, passed to a dear friend on his 70th birthday, he would deem appropriate to share with all the rest of his family, friends and loved ones gathered together now,
“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. I’ve been saying that for years but I just heard something similar and profound. When you were eight years old somebody else always decided what you got to do. But now it’s all up to you, so why not do something fun? If you want a Slurpee get one. If you want to play hookie for a day, then why not? I may have been doing that for too long!”

Warren is survived by his partner, Janet Morrison; his children, Brook Reppond (and husband Kyle), Aaron Russell (and wife Brenda), Forrest Russell (and wife Vikki), also (through Janet) Ashley Burleson, Justin Morrison and Jeremy Morrison; his grandchildren (through Brook), Heather (and husband Blake) Moeller, Hope (and husband Jake) Pullen, and Halleigh Reppond; grandchildren (through Aaron), Julie Trevino, Joanna Trevino, Luke Russell and Patrick Russell; grandchildren (through Forrest), Jakeb Russell, Katie (and husband Justin) Odom; great grandchildren, Oakley Pullen, Leighton Pullen, Whitley Moeller, Matthew Cruz, Miguel Cruz, Kenzie Odom, Colton Burleson

Friends are invited to visit with the family at 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Lone Star Cowboy Church, 21627 Eva St, Montgomery, TX 77356. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM. Graveside and burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 16, 2022 in Liberty Grove Cemetery, 200 Liberty Grove Rd, Abbott, TX 76621.