Russell Lee Seymore, Jr., 81, died Sunday, September 13, 2026, in Arlington, TX, after a battle with cancer. With him were his wife of 51 years, Molly, and his three children, Elise Porras (Paul) of Arlington, Cameron Seymore (Susan) of Minneapolis and Carrie Donnelly of Arlington. In addition to his wife and children, he is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Caitlyn, Audrey, Eleanor, Colette, James, Beatrice and Patrick; his sisters Marie Romano (Leo), Mary McCabe (Gary), each of Gulfport, MS, and Patty Zupko (John) of Jackson, MS; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, in-laws; and other dear family in Texas, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama and elsewhere. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eleanor and Russell L. Seymore, Sr.

Russell was guided by his strong conviction in his faith, his family and his desire to be of service to others. After graduating Loyola University in New Orleans, Russell joined the United States Navy, where his lifelong love of aviation was born: flying the P-3 Orion during the Vietnam War. After leaving the Navy, Russell flew for Braniff as a 727 pilot, which brought him to Dallas where he met Molly. The life that Molly and he created became their focus as they first lived in New York City, and then started a family in Kansas CIty, MO, finally settling in Dallas, TX. Russell found joy in getting his children to stop using scrap paper for notes, filling the fridge door with hot sauces, helping build the midway for the St. Thomas Aquinas carnival, driving through the night to his family in MS or the cabin in Long Lake, hiding treats everywhere Molly or the kids wouldn’t find them, telling a good story about the Navy (or anything, for that matter), cooking a good meal from leftovers and so many other wonderful little pleasures of life.

All the while, Russell was dedicated to his Catholic faith as a devout member of multiple parishes, but none as important as St. Maria Goretti in Arlington, which he came to later in life. At St. Goretti’s, Russell found a community that brought him and his family so much joy, be it through his volunteering with the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, the brotherhood of the SMG Knights of Columbus - Blessed Michael McGivney Council 14549 or simply being with the members of the parish. Within this parish, Russell was able to further his love of service, volunteering before, during and after mass, including acting as a eucharistric minister, planning and hosting church social events, especially the corn roast, and many other wonderful events of fellowship with his friends at SMG. He was passionate about helping his fellow veterans, especially during his time working with homeless veterans while with Catholic Charities in Ft. Worth. Russell and Molly could be found volunteering with Meals on Wheels, delivering meals and conversation to those in need within their community. Russell was also a proud member of the Quiet Birdman but that is all we can say about that.

Russell will be dearly missed as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. But we can take solace in the fact that he is now at peace and with God alongside his family and friends in Heaven, catching them up on everything they missed.

To celebrate Russell’s lifelong love of service, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the St. Maria Goretti Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Gifts can be made using the below link or sent to the SMG Conference - Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, ℅ St. Maria Goretti, 1200 S. Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76013. 

Donation Link >>> Russell Seymore Donations