Russell Burwell Obituary

Russell G. Burwell, Jr., passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in League City, Texas at the age of 85. He was born in Bryan, Texas, on November 29, 1940. He grew up in Stephenville, Texas and was an Eagle Scout. He is predeceased by his parents Russell Sr. and Mattie Burwell and his sister Mary Lou Daniel.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis Burwell, sister Elizabeth Burwell (Oakland, CA), son Russell Burwell III (Houston, TX), daughters Rebecca Burwell (Portland, OR) and Jessica Burwell (Shepherdstown, WV), granddaughter Blair Burwell (Los Angeles, CA), grandson Walker Walke (Shepherdstown, WV) and former wife Judge Gladys Burwell (Friendswood, TX).

He attended Tarleton Junior College and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with degrees in Government and History and a law degree in 1967. During law school, he served in Korea as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army.

After a short stint in Dimmit, he began his law career in Galveston County as an Assistant District Attorney and then as a personal injury lawyer. He was Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. Over the years he practiced in Texas City until his present firm Burwell Nebout Trial Lawyers in League City. He strongly believed in service to the legal profession, serving as President of the Galveston County and Mainland Bar Associations and on the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas and Texas Trial Lawyers Association.

He was a voracious reader and especially enjoyed history. As a young man, he was an avid sailboat racer in Lido 14s and then Ensigns and J-24s at Houston Yacht Club. He loved snow skiing and skied all over North America with family and friends. He later became an accomplished skeet shooter belonging to Clear Creek Gun Range and Greater Houston Sports Club while participating in shoots across the US.

After retirement, he moved to Durango and later Bayfield, Colorado. He continued his love of shooting sports by becoming an active participant in the many Cowboy Action Shooting events throughout the Southwest US. He also managed a small farm with horses and miniature donkeys, which he trained to pull carts and which were a favorite on the southern Colorado parade circuit. He continued his public service by serving on the Board of Trustees and as Board President of the Pine River Library in Bayfield and as an active member of the Friends of the Library where he assisted in fundraising to double the size of the library and to create the Bayfield Library Park. Donations may be made to the Friends of the Library at www.prlibrary.org/friends-of-the-library.com