Russell Clem

An incredible personality, Russell Clem, was taken on October 8, 2012, from this earthly life and from his treasured loved ones and cherished friends—only to be reunited with those who have already welcomed him home to his heavenly life.

Russell Tolman Clem was born on September 10, 1938, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the son of the Reverend Orbie Russell Clem and Lois Bondurant Clem. Although not Kansas-born, he truly was Kansas-bred, attending schools near the wheat fields of western Kansas and graduating from Wichita North High School in Wichita, Kansas, in 1956. It was at that time that he came to Texas and fell in love with his new-found state. He became a lover of Texas history and maintained his love and allegiance for both his Kansas roots and his adopted Texas ties.

Russell came to Texas to study journalism and music at Baylor University in Waco. And a true Baylor Bear he was! While at Baylor, he was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national music fraternity, and Sigma Delta Chi, a national journalism fraternity. He was editor of the Baylor Lariat, the daily campus newspaper; a percussionist and timpanist with the Baylor orchestra; and drum major for the Golden Wave Marching Band. During the summer months of his college years, he traveled to Interlochen, Michigan, to study and teach at the National Music Camp and Center for the Arts. Later in his life, he served on the Board of Visitors of the School of Music and was a lifetime member of the Baylor University Alumni Association. Throughout the past 52 years since his graduation from Baylor, he has been an advocate for the school that he loved so much, encouraging numerous high school seniors to attend his beloved alma mater. His recent illness prevented him from enjoying the past glorious athletic year that his Baylor Bears have enjoyed—but oh how he loved his Green and Gold!

In 1961 he met Jimmye Sue Coker, when after two days he professed his love for her. They married in 1963.

Upon his graduation from Baylor University in 1960 and his honorable discharge from active duty with the United States Armed Forces as a Second Lieutenant, Russell came to Houston at the request of Dr. James R. Schofield, Associate Dean with Baylor College of Medicine. Russell was named director of Public Relations and remained at Baylor College of Medicine until 1969. During his nine years there, he served on the admissions committee for the medical school and was director of Alumni Affairs. He was also named chairman of the American Association of Medical Colleges Public Relations. Russell coordinated all scientific news information for the medical school, developed fundraising programs, and wrote and produced the school’s monthly news magazine. He was fortunate to be a part of many major medical breakthroughs in the Texas Medical Center during that decade, working with both television and print media. Numerous journalistic documents that he wrote are now in the DeBakey Museum at Baylor College of Medicine.

In 1969, Russell joined the staff of the Houston office of Ruder & Finn, a national financial public relations firm based in New York City, N.Y., managing accounts for numerous Houston area companies, banks, and organizations through writing and print production of financial reports and advertising. It was at this time that he had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet Norman Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell was commissioned to design the cover of a Houston bank’s annual report, and Russell traveled to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to meet with him in his studio.

In 1972, he became active in all phases of printing including business management, plant production and sales management through his ownership of Crest Printing, a small printing company which expanded to two locations—one in downtown Houston and one in what was then the new Galleria. He then purchased D.H. White Printing, a longtime Houston printing company. It was during this time that he and Suzie worked side by side in a business partnership as well as a marriage partnership.

After selling the company in 1993, Russell worked with consulting firms, traveling throughout the southwest and working with small- to medium-sized businesses to assist owners in understanding and operating their companies in a profitable manner.

Russell and Suzie enjoyed traveling together with friends, especially to Cuernavaca, Lake Tahoe, Santa Fe—and anywhere that Baylor might be playing a football game: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Laramie, Boulder, Tempe, Lincoln, Lawrence, Manhattan, Norman, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, Columbia, Louisville, Ann Arbor, Athens, New Orleans, Boston and West Point.

When Russell came to Houston, he joined River Oaks Baptist Church as a young single. After their marriage, Russell and Suzie joined Second Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a deacon, was a member of the music program, and taught the Roundtable Class. At the time of his death, he was a member of Tallowood Baptist Church and had been a teacher in the Genesis Class there.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, the Reverend Orbie and Lois Clem; his father and mother-in-law, Jim and Martha Coker; an infant son; an infant grandson, Russell Stephen Martin; and most recently, his sister-in-law, Karen Hunt. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Jimmye Sue (Suzie) Clem; his cherished daughter, Carrie Elizabeth Clem Martin; his precious granddaughter, Hannah Elizabeth Martin; Stephen Frederick Martin, his son-in-law whom he loved as a son; and Babs Baugh, the “sister” he never had. He also leaves his nephew, Grady Hunt; his extended Kansas family; and his dear friends who were like his relatives and were such a vivid and integral part of his life.

During this past year, four gentle and loving ladies—along with their extended families—have cared for Russell. The family expresses its sincere appreciation to Pia Kihara, Hellen Mbuva, Saida Jangua and Mary Nalumansi. Their dedication and devotion to Russell was beyond belief. The family also thanks the team from Vitas Hospice for their assistance and for all they did to keep Russell so comfortable.

A memorial service and musical tribute to Russell’s life will be celebrated at Tallowood Baptist Church, 555 Tallowood Drive, on Friday, October 12, at 1:00 p.m. Those assisting with the service are Dr. Duane Brooks, Reverend Larry Bertrand, and Reverend Lester Collins. The musical tribute is being coordinated by Barbara Bamberg.

Guests are invited to a reception immediately following the service.

For those wishing to honor the life of Russell, donations can be made to the Baylor University School of Music and directed to the Golden Wave Marching Band and to Texas Children’s Hospital and directed to research for Neonatal Imaging; or to the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s for neurological research currently being conducted by Drs. Huda Zoghbi and Christian Schaaf.

Address any Baylor University gifts to the Baylor University Golden Wave Band, ℅ the Baylor Alumni Association, One Bear Place #97116, Waco, TX 76798-7116. Address Texas Children’s donation to Office of Development, Post Office Box 30060, Ste. 5214, Houston, Texas 77230-6230.

Russell wore many hats during his lifetime. He was known as son, husband, companion, son-in-law, Dad, Pop, brother-in-law, Russy, Uncle Russell, Rusty, “Couz,” friend, Buddy, and faithful servant of the Lord.

Matthew 25:23 - “Well done thou good and faithful servant . . .”

Well done indeed, Russell.