81R7555 JKB-D
By: Anderson H.R. No. 551
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Wendell A. Russell on December 12, 2008, at the age of
81; and
WHEREAS, Born in Dallas on December 16, 1926, to Melvin and
Theo Russell, Wendell Russell served Nazarene pastorates in
Childress, Nocona, Perryton, and Killeen before becoming a chaplain
at the Austin State Hospital; in 1971, he moved his family to
Indianapolis and began a long career as a chaplain for the Veterans
Administration medical centers; this service later brought him back
to Texas to minister at the centers in Waco and Marlin; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Russell loved his work and took great pleasure
in counseling, preaching, and other areas of ministry; he held
master's degrees in divinity and theology from Nazarene Theological
Seminary and Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest,
respectively, and he had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land in
1995; moreover, he was a member of the American Association of
Pastoral Counselors and a supervisor in the Association for
Clinical Pastoral Education; and
WHEREAS, Wendell Russell enriched the lives of countless
people with his commitment to his faith and his passion for
ministry, and memories of his generosity and good humor will
forever hold a treasured place in the hearts of his loved ones; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Chaplain Wendell A.
Russell and extend deepest sympathies to the members of his family:
to his wife of 59 years, Mary Russell; to his children, Sheryl
Knight, Carolyn Morrison, Ruth Wiggam, Steven Russell, and Timothy
Russell; to his 12 grandchildren; to his 3 great-grandchildren; and
to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Wendell
Russell.