Phil Russell

Phil decided to call Austin home in August 1971. However, plans changed

on February 5, 2012 when he passed away and went to his new home.

Phil was born on October 13, 1926, in Lindale, Texas to Mr. & Mrs.

W.T. Russell and was the youngest of 7 children. After graduating from

high school in Lindale, he served in the U.S. Army in both World War II

& the Korean Conflict.

After his military service, he began his college education. Phil graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1954 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He accepted a job with the Texas Railroad Commission, Oil & Gas Division, which took him to Wichita Falls, Texas. Shortly thereafter, he met LaVerne Campbell & fell instantly in love. They were married in 1955 & started a family later that year.

His career with the Railroad Commission took the Russell family to San Angelo, Abilene & finally Austin in 1971. Lifetime friends were made along the way at work, baseball/ softball fields, bowling alleys & golf courses. Phil was also an excellent athlete. As a lifetime Longhorn, it was good to be in Austin. Phil rarely missed a UT home baseball or football game.

Phil retired from the Railroad Commission in 1983 & immediately began his

second career as a consulting Petroleum Engineer. He continued his practice

until last week. If you spent any time with Phil, he made you laugh with either a witty observation or a funny true story. He made us all better people & will be missed every day.

Phil is survived by his wife of 56 years, LaVerne, son, Craig Russell and his

wife, Minnie, daughter, Phillis Russell Stell and her husband, Reed, daughter, Michelle Mendoza and her husband, Robert, grandsons, Travis, Phillip & Sam Russell, granddaughters, Katy & Lindy Mendoza.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd, Ste.320, Austin, Texas 78759 or American Cancer Society, PO Box 149100, Austin, Texas 78714-9100.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Wednesday, the 8th of February 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

Funeral services will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 9th of February, in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.