Horace Russell, Jr

Horace Russell, 93, of Harlingen, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 4, 2021.

He was born to parents Horace Sr. and Faye in Winnsboro, Texas on October 27, 1927.  After graduation form Winnsboro High School, Horace served aboard a Merchant Marine vessel during World War II.  He was aboard ships that regularly crossed the Atlantic Ocean hauling vital war cargo for the Allies.

When the war ended, Horace returned to Winnsboro and began driving a bus route between small East Texas Towns.  Here he met his future wife Doris.  They married on April 15, 1950.

On Horace’s 19th birthday, he bought his first truck and went into the cargo hauling business.  He and Doris lived in Dallas but moved to Harlingen in 1952, as much of his business was hauling seafood from the Valley to New York and Massachusetts.  Horace continued to buy 18-wheeler trucks and was owner of Russell Trucking in Harlingen.  At one time, he had 50 trucks crossing the United States.  It was during these busy years that Horace acquired a plane so he could fly himself between Harlingen and Winnsboro.  Horace was a thoughtful and astute businessman.

Horace was a Christian man who was a member of First Baptist Church in Harlingen.  He served for many years as a church deacon and was head of the deacons.  He was often on Pastor Search committees when needed.  He volunteered 30 plus years in the Church office doing tasks such as counting/depositing the offering and tabulating attendance records.  Horace was a man of deep faith who dearly loved the Lord.

Horace was on the Board of Directors at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen for many years.  He was especially close to Chief Executive Officer Ben Mckibbons and coordinated with him to keep the hospital on a sound financial basis.  Horace had to resign from the Board as his wife Doris became very ill.  He likewise retired from his trucking business at this time.  Horace and Doris had 2 children, daughter Pam and son Lynn.

In 2010, Horace lost his wife Doris to sickness.  In 2011, Horace married Tressie Jo Clark who had previously lost her husband.  They had been working in the First Baptist Church office for many years together.  In 2015, he and Tressie joined Calvary Baptist Church in Harlingen.  Their best day of the week was always Sunday morning when they went to enjoy fellowship and worship in Sunday school and in the church sermon.

Horace is preceded in death by his wife Doris, his wife Tressie Jo, his son Lynn, and his parents Horace Sr. and Faye.  He is survived by his daughter Pam Sims of Winnsboro, granddaughter Audra Sims of Tyler, grandson Chris Sims of Winnsboro, grandson Nathan Russell of Dallas, brother Thomas Russell of Dallas, sister Kathryn Kehlbeck of Louisville, KY, numerous nieces and nephews, and several great grandchildren.   He is also survived by stepdaughter Dr. Nancy Clark, and stepsons Leslie W. Clark and Richard B. Clark of Harlingen.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 15, 2021 at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home with visitation from 8:00 a.m. until service time.  Burial will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, TX.