John Nelson Russell

How do you sum up an 18-year-old young man’s life in a few paragraphs? How does one even start to accurately reflect the legacy that John Nelson left to the world? These are the questions we have been struggling with over the last week since John Nelson died.

He was loved by everyone who met him. He was a kind, compassionate, thoughtful, unassuming, hilarious young man who was smart as a whip. He brought such joy and light to everyone he met and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He loved playing computer games, was quite good and developed several long-term friendships through his “gaming.”

He loved studying history, military engagements, current events and geography. He cherished going to the ranch, our annual New Year’s Day pasture party, sitting by the fire pit, making s’mores and had quite a knack for impersonations.

He graduated from St. John XXIII College Preparatory on the 21st of May 2021, the day before his 18th birthday and was quite proud to walk across the stage to receive his diploma. He was so excited to start his college career at Blinn College this Fall semester, had received the dorm he wanted and was looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing college life. He was interested in majoring in Finance and Political Science and hoped to transfer to Texas A&M. He attended Camp Longhorn Inks Lake for nine years and he looked forward to his three weeks of summer there each year with unabated excitement.

We took many trips together and he enjoyed experiencing new places, people, the history of a certain area and the food. He was always excited to get a new stamp on his passport, especially one from our trip to France. He was always keen on traveling to a place that had a good beach, clear blue water and to any place that had snow. He loved a good snowball fight! All the trips we took together were made even more special and memorable as they were with his sister, Fendley. He loved being around her and they always had such fun together. From meeting after lunch and dinner every day at Camp Longhorn to their brother and sister movie nights and plethora of inside jokes. They had a special unbreakable bond that only they knew.

John Nelson’s death leaves a large hole in our hearts but will forever be a bright shining light in the sky and in our lives. He will be forever young and forever in our hearts.

He is survived by his parents, John and Dianne Russell; his beloved sister, Fendley Anne Russell; his grandmother, Wilminor Carl Gardner; uncles, Nelson P. Davies III, William Wiley Russell; aunts, Carie Davies, Tracye Davies Wollney, Suzanne Russell; cousins, Colin and Chase Davies, Easton, Trace and Evan Wollney, Vivian and Cooper Russell, Raquel Layton; Godparents, John N. Dabney and Charlotte S. James; and “Aunt” Caroline and “Uncle” Jeff Thomas.

John Nelson is predeceased by his grandfathers, Nelson Parmalee Davies, Jr. and John Leo Russell, Sr.; step-grandfather, Robert A. Gardner; grandmother, Shirley Fendley Davies; and step-grandmother, Vale Asche Russell.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to John Barksdale of Second Baptist Church, whose love and spiritual guidance helped us navigate through this very difficult time.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 4th of October, in the Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 5th of October, at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Louise Samuelson, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the services.