Russell was born on September 21, 1931, in Morgan City, Louisiana to Henry Jerome and Adele Breaux LaJaunie.
Russell is survived by his daughter, Denise Herrington and husband, Rodney of Albuquerque, New Mexico; son, Steve LaJaunie and wife, Tammy of Allen, Texas; son, Randy LaJaunie and wife, Treva of Wylie, Texas.
In addition, he is survived by 10 cherished grandchildren; Ryan Herrington, Jordan Herrington, Carson Herrington, and Lindsay Cabbage all of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Colin Herrington of San Diego, California; Aimee Brooks of Sachse, Texas; Paige Montgomery of Farmersville, Texas; Tyler LaJaunie and Hayden LaJaunie of Wylie, Texas; and Whitney LaJaunie of Austin, Texas.
He is also survived by 12 great grandchildren with another one expected any day now.
Russell was raised on Bayou L’Ourse in Lousiana with his 5 brothers and one sister along with 4 step brothers and sisters. He loved to tell stories about hunting, fishing and setting traps on the Atchafalaya River. When he was a boy, he and his brothers would sell alligators that they trapped on the river. He left home at a young age and began working for oil and gas companies. In October of 1951, he enlisted in the Marine Corp and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he proudly served until his discharge.
In December of 1951, Russell married Bobbye Welch. They were married for 68 years until her death in June of 2019. During that time, Russell worked for companies like Empire Oil and Gas, Geophysical Services Inc., Texas Instruments and Haliburton from which he retired in the early 1990s. He and Bobbye lived wherever his jobs took him—Midland, Texas; Metarie, Lousiana; Hobbs, New Mexico; Irving, Texas; and Houston, Texas, but their forever home was in Plano, Texas where they lived and raised their 4 children. In his retirement years, Russell loved to fish, spend time with his family and his much loved dog, Susie.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Bobbye, and his son Michael.
He was also preceded in death by his brothers Paul, Myrtile, Easton, Nolan, and Huey LaJaunie and by his sister Nora Jones. He was also preceded in death by his step brothers Lionel, Patrick and Harold LeBlanc and his step sister Jacqueline Aucoin.
Russell will be deeply missed by his family and friends but we are thankful to know that he is fully healed in Heaven and is reunited with Bobbye, Mike, and the rest of his family that has gone on before him.
The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Anne Day (Susan) who has lovingly taken care of Russell for the past 17 months. We are so very grateful for everything that she has done for the LaJaunie family.
We would also like to ask that in lieu of flowers, that donations are made in Russell’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association act.alz.org
A private burial will be held at Plano Mutual Cemetery where Russell will be laid to rest with his wife Bobbye and his son Michael.
A Memorial Service & Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.
Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas has charge of arrangements.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18