Dr. John Russell

1938 - 2024

DR. JOHN RUSSELL
May 7, 1938 - April 4, 2024
Son of Dorothy Brigance and Aubrey Russell, Dr. John Russell was born on May 7, 1938, in Navasota Texas. John, his four sisters, and parents moved throughout central Texas supporting each other and Preacher Aubrey's calling. By 1953 they had settled in Cameron where John made lifelong friendships.

In 1956, John left home to study at Baylor University. In three years, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science and headed to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He received his Doctor of Medicine in 1962 and stayed in Houston for his Internship.

He met Mary, the love of his life and constant source of inspiration, in 1961 at the Houston VA Medical Center. Married in 1962, they looked after each other, raised their children, Elizabeth, and David, and together supported countless others – a granddaughter, siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dr. Russell served as a Flight Surgeon for the U.S. Air Force's Strategic Air Command from 1963 to 1965. He loved his time caring for the flight crews and circling the north pole.

Returning to Baylor for his residencies, Dr. Russell completed General Surgery in 1969 and then Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery in 1971.

John and Mary moved to San Antonio in 1971 and have lived in the same welcoming home ever since. Dr. Russell joined Roof and Crawford, PC in 1971 and remained in private practice until 2017. Dr. Russell and his partners (Drs. Roof and Crawford at the beginning and then Dr. Knight in the last 20 years) cared for untold patients and their families. Dr. Russell was a talented cardiovascular surgeon; he took care of the sickest and the ones others could not. He found joy and purpose in the operating room – helping his patients while bantering with the doctors and the nurses. For over five years he served as the Chief Medical Officer of Baptist Health System. Dr. Russell was one of the greats; he operated as long as he could and never lost his sharp intellect.

John had many passions – his family, his patients, his Boston Terriers, good food with his family, an occasional good bottle of cabernet, reading, Texas, politics, gardening, feeding the cardinals and squirrels in his yard, and watching sports – especially the Spurs. He loved telling stories and listening to ours.
Relishing exploration, he led his family on road trips through New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California; he loved visiting New Orleans, San Franciso, Chicago, Vancouver, and many other interesting cities for the best each had to offer.

John nurtured his kids and many others as we navigated the ins and outs of our lives and careers; he was a devoted confidant you could rely on. John was soft spoken and insightful; he taught us the importance of unwavering hard work along with the joy of having fun. Rarely sentimental, he always said "charge" which we will carry forward to future generations. We miss you and will love you forever…

He passed away on April 4, 2024, at his home surrounded by the love of his family. He is survived by Mary (his wife), Elizabeth and David (his children), Zoe (his granddaughter), Jennifer (his daughter-in-law), and Lanelle and Annette (his sisters). He was preceded in death by his sisters Carolyn and Jane.

Services will be held at Woodland Church on May 3, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Pre-service music will be provided by members of the San Antonio Philharmonic starting at 1:30 pm.

Donations in his honor can be directed to your favorite charity; some of John's included Woodland Church Music Ministry or KLRN's Jim Lehrer Society.