James Oliver Russell

Mr. James O. Russell, 85, of Brownsville, beloved father, grandfather, and uncle, entered into eternal rest on June 17, 2009 at Valley Regional Medical Center.

A native of Morgan City, Louisiana, Mr. Russell was a well-known local businessman and shrimping fleet owner. A survivor of the Great Depression at a young age, he later worked on shrimp boats to support his mother and sisters. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Mr. Russell resumed his pre-war shrimping career as a Captain and later bought his first boat in 1948. He came to the Brownsville-Port Isabel area in 1949 searching for richer shrimping grounds. He was one of the original shrimping pioneers who began shrimping off the Mexican coast. During this time he met Sallie Marie Burnell of Port Isabel and they later married in 1953. At the height of his career, Mr. Russell owned and managed eleven shrimp vessels. He continued to operate the fleet until 2007, when he retired. He will be remembered by those who knew him as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a devout Catholic, and a demanding but fair businessman.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sallie Marie, his son Patrick, and his daughter, Charmaine Russell Wentz.

He is survived by his two sons: James B. Luanne and William Russell; eight grandchildren: Blake, Jon-Mason, Aaron, and Cameron Russell; Patrick, Paige, and Peyton Russell, and Christen Wentz; his daughter-in-law, Maureen Russell; a brother-in-law, Charles and his wife Nita Burnell; and a sister-in-law, Helen Lu Mills. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2009 in the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7 p.m. Friday evening. The Mass of Christian Resurrection will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Our Heavenly Father Catholic Church, on Parker St. in Olmito, Texas. Interment will follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens. Jimmys grandsons: Blake, Jon-Mason, Aaron, Cameron, Patrick, and Peyton Russell, are honored to be serving as his pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Wentz, Keil Burnell and Charles R. Burnell. The American Legion Post 43 Funeral Honor Guard under the direction of Commander Raul Leal will provide military honors at the graveside.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Heavenly Father Catholic Church corner of Parker and Tomas Cortez Jr. Streets, Olmito, Texas 78575 or the charity of your choice.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, June 19, 2009
6 to 8 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, June 19, 2009
7 p.m.

Mass

Our Heavenly Father Catholic Church
9178 Thomas Cortez St.
Olmito, TX  78575
Saturday, June 20, 2009
10 a.m.

Cemetery

Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens
4464 Old Port Isabel Rd.
Brownsville, TX  78526

Memorial Contributions

Our Heavenly Father Catholic Church
9178 Thomas Cortez St.
Olmito, TX  78575