Carl David Russell

CARL DAVID RUSSELL, lost his ten-month battle with melanoma and went to his Heavenly Home on December 9, 2014. He was born in Goose Creek, Texas, on September 9, 1930, and was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown. He interrupted his college education to enlist in the U.S. Air Force and spent two years of his enlistment at a remote radar station on Okinawa during the Korean War. He married Charline Garbs in 1951 and they spent their early years of marriage following Air Force assignments and attaining a college degree. Carl David graduated from Sam Houston University in 1957 and immediately went to work for Shell Oil Company at their Deer Park facility where he retired in 1987 after 30 years with Shell.

When his children were young, he spent many years coaching Little League ball games and refereeing high school basketball games in the Baytown area.

Carl David and his wife moved to Sugar Land in 1990 to watch their precious grandchildren grow up. His greatest joy was attending their athletic events and other activities. He and Charline were able to do extensive traveling throughout Europe and returned to their favorite places many times. In later years, he and Charline became gardening partners and spent many hours working with their flowers and vegetables.

Although he was not an Aggie, he was very proud of his children and grandchildren, all of whom graduated from Texas A&M. He loved Aggie football games and attended all home games for many years. He was also the “chief chef” at the family’s tailgate parties.

Carl David was a member of Grace Methodist Church in Baytown for many years and then Christ United Methodist Church in Sugar Land the past 23 years. His “second family” was his dear friends in the Weavers Class at CUMC. He was also a member of the Baytown Lions Club and First Colony Lions Club for many years.

Carl David was predeceased by his parents, H.D. and Gertrude Russell; and his sister, Willie Dee Lyons.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Charline Garbs Russell; his two beloved children, Judy Mills and husband Bruce, and David (Rusty) Russell; his adored grandchildren, Ryan Mills and wife Candi, Brent Mills and wife Lauren, and Ashley Gladney and husband Cody; his precious great-granddaughter, Charley Gladney; and great-grandson, Parker Russell Mills, due in March.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, December 12, 2014, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land (Williams Trace Exit). Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, December 13, 2014, at Christ United Methodist Church, 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, with the Rev. Dan Conway, officiating. Interment will follow at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8624 Garth Road, Baytown, TX.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff at M D Anderson Cancer Center for their wonderful care and compassion during Carl David’s treatment.