Bobby Jack Russell

Bobby Jack Russell was born January 20, 1949, in Ft. Worth, Texas to Condie Young and Jimmie Lee (Pete)Singleton Russell. Bobby was the fourth child, preceded by two older brothers and one older sister. The Russell family lived less than 2 miles south of Venus on a 50-acre farm.  Bobby spent the first 18 years of his life living the typical farm life...hoeing and picking cotton, pulling and shucking corn, helping take care of pigs and chickens and his father's beloved greyhound dogs. One of Bobby's favorite things to do was plant and care for an incredible garden which helped to feed the family of 9.  

When Bobby was 18, the family moved into town and Bobby loved to walk and ride his bicycle all over town.  Venus, being very small at the time, had only about 350 residents and Everyone knew and loved Bobby Jack Russell.  Not having a job outside the home, he 

decided to start a lawn mowing business.  He would push his mower or ride his bicycle, pulling his mower all over town and he mowed lawns for most of the residents of Venus, particularly the widow ladies who had no one to help them.  

Bobby attended Venus schools from grade 1 through 12 and graduated from Venus Bulldog class of 1968. He loved going to school and seldom missed and he was a favorite among his classmates.

One of the great loves of his life was being a member of the Venus Volunteer Fire Department.  His two older brothers, as well as his brothers-in-law, were also faithful members and attended meetings every Monday night at the local fire hall. He looked forward to that special time each week and getting to the fire hall as quickly as possible to respond to fire calls no matter the time or day or night. He served as a faithful member for some 10 years.

Bobby continued to garden and developed quite the green thumb with all varieties of flowers.  He also loved to do woodworking and built hundreds of birdhouses over the years.  He gave those to friends and family and sold some at local markets and fairs.  A friend and family member recently remarked he still had the bird house Bobby built and gave to him over 50 years ago.

After Bobby's father died in 1984, he and his mother moved to a smaller house but with a great garden spot and a place in the backyard to raise his flowers and build birdhouses, but he started a new hobby...crocheting.  He lived with his mother until her passing in 2001 at which time, he moved into Venus Retirement Village.

Even while living in the Village, Bobby continued to plant and work a huge garden.  He would occasionally get upset that no one wanted to help plant or weed, but they were there to gather the crops.  Every year, he would say he wasn't going to " fall for that trick again" but he would end up having his brother prepare a garden spot for him and share the fruits of his labor with other residents, family, and friends.  He also continued to build birdhouses at his brother's barn and continued to crochet.  It was during this time that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and became unable to safely handle power tools or to do the tedious task of crocheting, but by that time, he had crocheted many, many lap blankets and afghans and gave those away and sold some.

In 2020, Bobby succumbed to the evil covid and spent 37 days in the hospital and rehab, and it left him with some impairment to where he couldn't adequately care for himself. He had had some loving caregivers for several years, but it became increasingly difficult to find someone dependable so he, along with his siblings, visited Grandview Nursing Home and he decided to give up his apartment in Venus and move there. This was in February 2022.

Bobby participated in almost every activity at the nursing home despite his inability to see well and his inability to read or write.  He had lots of health issues and mental challenges during his life, by he NEVER complained or asked why me?  He just smiled and loved life and loved everyone (almost everyone) he met.  He was a favorite with the residents and staff.  His favorite time was sitting on the patio visiting with other residents or visitors.

The Russell Family were faithful members of First Baptist Church in Venus for years and Bobby loved to attend church...Sunday School, Training Union, Visitation, Wednesday night prayer and bible study.  He attended several churches throughout the years, having to depend on family or friends to ride with because he didn't drive, but in 2018, he started attending Willow Springs Baptist Church.  He loved the people, and they loved him.  He was quite the kidder and loved to give certain church members a hard time about things.  The one thing he said he missed most about going to the nursing home was not being able to go to church.  But it didn't take him long to learn that various churches came and did worship services on Sunday afternoons, and he was always in attendance.  He LOVED to sing, and you'd often hear him singing as he rolled around in his wheelchair.

If you ever visited with Bobby, he would quickly tell you that he was "ready to go home" and that's exactly what he died on Saturday morning, August 23rd at 11:20 am.  His family is heartbroken at his sudden, unexpected passing, but they all agree that he is exactly where probably all of us would like to be.

Bobby is preceded in death by his mother and father, two sisters who died one day after birth, and a brother who died at birth.  He is survived by two brothers, Joe Russell of Venus, Charles Russell (Pearl) of Venus, three sisters, Judy Bankston (Don) of Ft Worth, Texas, Kay Honea of Venus, Texas and Jeannie Prazak (Glynn) of Venus, Texas, seven first cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of church family and fellow classmates from Venus school.

In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your choice:

Willow Springs Baptist Church

Additional Parking Lot Fund

P.O. Box 324

Venus, Texas  76084

Michael J. Fox Parkinsons Research Foundation

P. O. Box 5014

Hagerstown, Md 21741

Grandview Nursing & Rehab

Activities Department

301 W. Criner

Grandview, Texas  76050

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