Russell Kent Bouwhuis

Russell Kent Bouwhuis passed away January 23, 2022, at his home in Houston, Texas, three days after his 55th birthday.
Russ was born January 20, 1967, to Larry and Patricia Terry Bouwhuis, in Ogden, Utah. He was the sixth child and fifth son. The lone daughter, then 6 years old, declared that if the new baby was a boy, not to bother bringing him home. To her life-long chagrin, the newborn suffered from a birth defect that prevented him from joining his siblings at home. He had surgery at 12 days of age, the effects of which followed him throughout his life, causing stomach problems that plagued him at regular intervals. In spite of his health issue, Russ developed normally in every other way, becoming a force to be reckoned with. His sister, realizing her great power, determined thereafter to use it for good, and became one of his greatest champions and friends.
Two more boys joined the Bouwhuis family after Russ, creating a small gang of eight that terrorized the neighborhood in Roy, Utah, where they were raised. Russ's childhood was spent dodging apricots (though he lobbed his share) and running naked through the irrigation in the backyard. He and his brothers enjoyed the run of the neighborhood, where they made many lifelong friends and created memories that became legendary.
Russ was a cheerful, happy-go-lucky child. He always seemed to have a smile on his face, particularly when defying his mother. If Mom said up, Russ insisted on down. If she said stop, he heard go. As an adult, he recalled thinking his name was "Dammit Russell" for the first five years of his life. His mischievous grin when Mom attempted to correct or corral his antics infuriated and frustrated her; his nature was both contrary and sunny, usually simultaneously. In later years, when she would reminisce about raising Russ and his siblings, Mom would sigh with exhaustion while chuckling fondly at the memories. She does not regret birthing and raising this rowdy bunch.
Russ graduated from Roy High School in 1985, and then decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to Korea, a call that determined the course his life would take for his remaining years. He enjoyed his time in Korea, so much that he returned there after his mission to attend Seoul University. While there, he became acquainted with a piano teacher, Hye-Shin Han, whom he met when she attended one of his classes looking for an American who could teach English. Russ took this opportunity, which provided him with the means to continue his studies there. He and Hye-Shin fell in love, married, and had their first son, Jonathan, while living in Korea.
Russ had attended the University of Utah after his mission and, after his term abroad in Seoul, returned to finish his undergraduate degree in business at the U. He then moved to Texas to attend graduate school at UT Austin, obtaining an MBA in 1997. His wife and young son joined him there, and their family expanded to include Preston and Clayton. Another son, Sean, was born to Russ and Lanchi Tran, making him the proud father of four boys. Becoming a dad suited Russ; nothing else he did ever came close to matching the satisfaction he found in the role of father. Russ has always credited his sons' mothers for their upbringing; these two women were instrumental in instilling the values that have made Russ's sons stellar young adults, men who made Russ proud to call himself their father.
Russ's career eventually took him to Hines International, a real estate corporation, where he rose through the ranks to become a vice president. Russ was considered by his employer to be a vital asset; he received many accolades through the years for his contributions to the company's interests.
His job responsibilities included traveling to diverse locales, which further ignited in Russ the desire to travel. The job gave him multiple opportunities to visit foreign lands where he'd continue as a tourist once his work obligations were complete. His family and friends have lived vicariously through Russ, enjoying his many adventures through Facebook posts that have both enthralled and delighted his audience.
Russ's respite was to be found in the Dominican Republic, a country he first visited in 2016. He developed a love for the island nation and its people that filled a place in his heart and became a home away from home. He anticipated retiring to the island sometime in the distant future and spending his days surfing, riding around the island on a motorbike, and lounging away the days with a good book in one hand and a cold drink in the other.
Russ was preceded in death by his father, Larry, in November of 2021. He is survived by his beloved sons, Jonathan, Preston, Clayton, and Sean, all of Houston, Texas, as well as their mothers, with whom he remained close. He is also survived by his mother Pat, of Roy, Utah, and his seven siblings: Chet (Michal Anne), Layton, Utah; Jeff, Roy, Utah; Verlyne Henrie (Daron), Logan, Utah; Mike (Kris), South Ogden, Utah; Darin, Salt Lake City, Utah; Tim (Liz), Talkeetna, Alaska; and Jeremy (Marina), Amherst, New Hampshire. His many nieces and nephews recall with fondness their Uncle Russ and the times they shared with him through the years. His personality was larger than life, and he will be dearly missed.
A visitation in his honor will be held in Houston, Texas on Saturday, February 5, 2022. The following Saturday, February 12, 2022, there will be a viewing and funeral service at the Roy 16th ward chapel at 4524 S. 2525 W., Roy, Utah. The viewing will be from 9:30-10:30 AM, with the service following at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in the Roy City cemetery, next to his father. Services provided by Myers Mortuary of Roy, Utah, and Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services of Houston, Texas.