Russell Louis Cook Jr.

Russ Cook passed away peacefully in Austin, Texas, on October 16, 2025, at the age of 79 after a courageous fight against cancer. He died surrounded by his family, the center and love of his life.

Russ was born in Galveston, Texas, on March 30, 1946, to parents Katherine and Russell L. Cook, Sr. He grew up further inland in the small town of La Marque, Texas.

Following graduation from La Marque High School, Russ attended the University of Texas at Austin and the Plan II Program, where he earned a degree in math and economics and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation, he went to work for the IBM Federal Systems Division at NASA as a systems analyst on the Apollo space program. It was at IBM that he met his future wife, Nancy, to whom he was married for fifty-six years.

In 1969, Russ and Nancy were married in La Marque, Texas. Following their wedding, they drove to Palo Alto, California, so that Russ could attend Stanford Law School. After graduating from Stanford Law School, Russ and Nancy moved to Houston in 1972, where Russ started work as a trial lawyer for Fulbright and Jaworski in Houston where they lived and raised a family for the next 40 years.

Russ practiced law for more than fifty years, a career he genuinely loved and found extremely rewarding. After working for two major law firms in Houston, he branched out and founded his own firm, which he maintained in Houston for the majority of his career. His work was dedicated to seeking justice and restoration for individuals suffering from severe injuries.

Despite the demands of a small business and national trial practice, family always came first to Russ. He always prioritized his children's activities and rarely, if ever, missed a cross-country meet, a baseball game, or a special event. He coached Little League baseball and softball teams, and spent countless hours practicing sports with his kids, helping them with school, and sharing his knowledge and skills on so many things. When grandchildren arrived, he was dedicated to them too, sharing his time and attention with them.

Russ was an active member of and contributor to three congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America from his baptism until he joined First United Methodist Church in Austin near the end of his life. He served as a council member and President of Faith Lutheran Church in Houston.

In his free time, Russ loved to spend time in the outdoors, especially at the family ranch and fishing. Russ fished in many places but loved the bays and waters of the Gulf Coast most of all. He was a part-time cattle rancher for 40 years where he worked cows, walked countless miles, planted gardens, fought huisache, mended fences, and drove John Deere tractors. He was always happiest to see others enjoy the ranch, especially his family and grandchildren.

Russ Cook is survived by: his wife Nancy Cook; his daughter Courtney French and son-in-law Mike French; his son Scott Cook and daughter-in-law Lauren Cook; grandchildren Will French, Cate French, Fisher Cook, and Lainey Cook; his sister Judy Adams and brother-in-law George Adams; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Linda and Carell Freeman, Buddy Feeney, and Patsy Brousseau; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family whom he loved deeply.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 1 PM at First United Methodist Church of Austin, 1201 Lavaca St. Parking for the funeral is available in the Peak Parking Garage at the southwest corner of 13th and Lavaca Streets or at an open meter near the church. A reception will be held at the church following the funeral. A private burial for family will be held at a later date.

The Cook family extends the deepest thanks and gratitude to all for the work, support, and prayers of family, friends, faith leaders, doctors, and medical personnel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider giving blood or a donation to We Are Blood in Austin, Texas, or the MDS Foundation.