Dennis Reginald Russell

1940 - 2002

FORT WORTH -- Dennis Reginald Russell, 62, wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, departed this life Monday, April 1, 2002.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at Harris Methodist Fort Worth, 1301 Pennsylvania, in the Castleberry Chapel.

Memorials: Johnson County Meals on Wheels, 1601 N. Anglin, Suite B, Cleburne, Texas 76031.

Dennis R. Russell was born March 31, 1940, in Henderson to Drunell Dennis and Clay Eugene Russell. He completed high school in Henderson, where he participated in the honors program, lettered in football and baseball, and played the alto saxophone in the high school band.

He received his A.A. from Kilgore Junior College, a B.S. in physics from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in physics from Texas A&M. A Ph.D. candidate with Columbia Southern University, his dissertation is entitled, "A Treatise On Lead, Asbestos and Radon." He was licensed by the state of Texas as a professional safety consultant and was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Health Physics Society.

His son, Jason, said of him that he was so much larger than life, anything one could say about him sounds trite. He was the most giving father Jason ever saw. He treated his children adoringly, like royalty. Any time spent together -- it did not matter what the activity -- was blissful and wonderful. His son also wanted others to know about his dad's gift for being at one with nature and the world, which colored his relationship with everything. The family teased him about being the reincarnation of St. Francis of Assissi. Wild animals ate from his hand. This zenlike quality of enlightenment extended to every facet of his life, exemplary scientist, fascinating conversationalist, gourmet chef, loyal friend.

Another art form he owned was working in the media of wood. Under his hand, the most scruffed, damaged piece of furniture became a thing of enchanting beauty. There was no problem he could not find a solution for, and there was no challenge he could not rise to meet.

He did not even recognize pettiness of the human spirit. He simply was above such things.

President of his own company, World Class Safety Corp., he could pull together a team of world experts and scientists for any need. His level of intelligence never impressed him. He lived by a saying of his role model, Albert Einstein, who advised to keep it simple. He simply used it for the good of all things.

We will miss uncountable things about him, and one of these certainly, will be his unique sense of humor and dry, ever kindly, wit. Another will be his capacity for loving and accepting others with human dignity, just as they were.

His accomplishments, too numerous to cover well, have been, in part, the organization of, and the setting in place of the safety program at Southwestern Medical School, working with OSHA to establish and write procedures, and his work at the Super Conducting Super Collider. When he accepted a position or a challenge, he gave it 100 percent of his knowledge and skill. Once in awhile he performed miracles. After that, he came home, watched the evening news and relished the presence of his family. We, his family, thought he could perform miracles endlessly, and were unprepared for the possibility he might lose this latest courageous battle with cancer.

The family wishes to acknowledge with deepest gratitude the efforts of his medcal team, Dr. Mary Milam and staff, with a special word of thanks to R.N. Doreen Stevens; Drs. Cho and Durks of Moncrief Radiation Center; Dr. John Bowling and staff; Drs. Capper, Lee and Ewing, and the nurses and caregivers of Plaza Medical Center's Skilled Nursing Unit at 7-West, and the sixth-floor oncology unit, the nurses and social workers of Home Health Services; the entire staff of Huguley Home Health Agency, especially R.N. Randy Markum; the N.E.T.I. staff and paramedics who transported him with such gentle care to his numerous treatment centers.

He moves ahead to make safe the path, but without his presence, the light and luster are diminished. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two beloved grannies; his stepdaughter, Tracy Roth; and his treasured companion, his childhood dog, Frony.

Survivors: Wife, Chris; son, Jason; daughter and son-in-law, Rene' and Chris Chumbley; grandson, Tate Chumbley; sister and brother-in-law, Drs. Jennie and Don Walsh; nephews, David and Brad Walsh and their wives and children; numerous cousins, aunts and uncles; and many friends.

Winscott Road Funeral Home
Benbrook, (817) 249-1177