In Memoriam
Jerry Russell, father of Sen. Wendy Davis and Stage West founder, dies
Jerry Russell, father of Sen. Wendy Davis and founder of Fort Worth theater company Stage West, passed away peacefully this morning at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth. He had been hospitalized for several weeks following complications from abdominal surgery. He was 77.
Friends and family began reporting on his condition two weeks ago on Facebook, and a page on the website Caring Bridge was created to keep well-wishers informed of his status. Early this morning, Davis posted on her Facebook page that her father had passed away, surrounded by his wife and children:
During his time in the hospital, there was never a moment that one of us wasn't by his side. We, and the community, will forever be grateful for the significant impact he made on our lives. He and his warm, sparkling brown eyes will be deeply missed. My family and I thank you for surrounding us with your prayers and comfort during this time.
Russell had retired (for the second time) from Stage West last year, ending a tenure that began when he founded the company in 1979. Appearing not just with Stage West but also Dallas Theater Center, Casa Manana and others, Russell was a beloved member of the Dallas-Fort Worth theater community.
His most recent onstage appearance was in the one-man show Clarence Darrow that played Stage West in April, a role he was reprising for the third time. He was slated to star in The Sunshine Boys at Contemporary Theatre of Dallas later this month.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but there has been an outpouring of online support from both the local arts community and Davis' supporters.