Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis (D) announced that her father, Jerry Russell, passed away early Thursday morning. He was 77.
“It is with great sadness that I share that Jerry Russell, my dearly loved father, died early yesterday morning surrounded in love and prayer by our extended family and so many who share our love for Dad,” Davis said in a statement on Friday. “My family would like to welcome members of the theatre, Fort Worth, and greater community to join us for a tribute in Jerry’s honor on Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 6:30 pm at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center located at 1300 Gendy Street in Fort Worth.”
Russell had been in critical care in Fort Worth for complications that form undergoing abdominal surgery. Russell was a well-known director and actor in North Texas for his work at the Stage West nonprofit theatre company.
“In his honor the family has established the Jerry Russell Endowment Fund at Stage West to ensure that the quality programs Jerry set out to produce when founding Stage West over 33 years ago will continue long after his death,” Davis continued in the statement. “In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Jerry Russell Endowment Fund at Stage West.”
Davis, who has been mulling whether to run for governor or run for reelection, postponed announcing her plans in August because of Russell’s declining health.
