Russell Leo Smith

Russell Leo Smith

October 13, 1954 – June 24, 2021

Russell Leo Smith, of Deer Park, Texas, took his flight to Heaven on June 24, 2021, following complications after a heart attack. Russell fought tooth and nail for an extra 50 days of precious time with his family, but ultimately passed peacefully, surrounded by love and confident of his next destination.

Russell was born in Houston to loving parents, Thomas and Wilma Smith. He was a lifelong resident of the Pasadena/Deer Park area, where he graduated from Sam Rayburn High School before becoming a master mechanic, hydraulics specialist, and formidable Jack-of-all-trades. Russell met Patricia, his wife of 41 years, in the singles group at Bayshore Baptist Church in La Porte, where she initially found him a little too chatty, but ultimately succumbed to his wit and charm, and married him the following year. He was a steadfast and devoted spouse, even considering his occasional quirks (like hoarding styrofoam Whataburger cups and washing car parts in the dishwasher). Russell was a wonderful father to his three children, who have many special memories of him.

Russell spent most of his career at Albemarle Corporation, formerly Ethyl Corporation, where he worked as a shop mechanic. He served for 25 years as a fireman on the plant’s Emergency Response Team in coordination with Channel Industries Mutual Aid (CIMA) and received commendation for his tireless effort at the Phillips chemical plant disaster in 1989. He was a member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW).

Over the years, Russell worshipped with his beloved church family at Monument Baptist Church (formerly Thomas Avenue). He served alongside his brothers and sisters in Christ, driving (and occasionally repairing) the church bus, preparing BBQ, and in many other ways. He also served with the Texas Baptist Men Ministries in operations in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, constructing churches, making repairs, and providing disaster relief. His favorite hymn is The Old Rugged Cross.

Russell remained true to form until the very end, asking the LifeFlight pilot how much horsepower the chopper had, giving his nurses a hard time by refusing to take off his shower cap because “he liked it,” and smiling his crooked smile whenever his wife came into the room. He was no doubt greeted with much joy from those who have gone before him, including his parents, his younger brother, Timothy, and even adopted family like John and Jason. Russell loved animals, and will certainly be excited to see Sassy (his most spoiled pooch), Fred (the “rescued quail” that “fell from its nest in a storm” - but was really a turkey chick he secretly bought at the feed store), Lost Boy (the hamster he “found” in the attic), and plenty more in the menagerie.

Russell will be deeply missed by his friends and family, but lives on in his children - James, through his sense of humor (leaving an accomplished jokester in the family), mechanical aptitude, work ethic, and catching himself making facial expressions “just like Dad”; Joshua, through his kind spirit, propensity for tinkering, and disdain for vegetarian food; and Rebekah, through her habits of taking lunch in a ragged grocery bag, eating Cheerios for dinner, and picking up every stray animal she sees.

In addition to his loving wife, Patricia; children, James (and wife Deana), Joshua, and Rebekah (and husband Ryan); grandchildren, Suzanah and Jared; siblings, Winston and Michelle; and loyal pupster, Bandit, numerous other friends and relatives will remember Russell fondly and look forward to being reunited with him in Heaven.

Visitation will be held on June 30, 2021 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Grand View Funeral Home, 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX. A graveside service will be held on July 1, 2021 at 10:00 am at Grand View Memorial Park/Bethany Cemetery, 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX. In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, please consider donating blood so that other families can have the precious gift of more time with their loved ones.