Dr. Russel Lee Jacobe, Jr.

Dr. Russel Lee Jacobe, Jr., a third generation Houstonian, passed away peacefully in the arms of his beloved wife and four children while in the comfort of his home in Houston on Friday, the 24th of June 2022.

Russ, affectionately known as “Poppy,” was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Poppy’s greatest joy in life was the family he created with his best friend and wife of 53 years. He will be remembered fondly for his unwavering strength of character, loyalty and gentle nature. Poppy radiated kindness and selflessness daily as he prioritized family and faith throughout his life.

He proudly served his church community as a young acolyte at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church and later as an usher and vestry member at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Poppy, a devout Episcopalian, loved accompanying his family to weekly Sunday services. He was a member of River Oaks Country Club where he cherished family dinners and celebrated his love of golf on the driving range tirelessly perfecting his swing.

Poppy achieved the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout in 1954. He was an active and accomplished student at Lamar High School where he served as class President and Vice President of Honor Society and graduated in 1957. He continued his education at the University of Texas where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He graduated in 1960 from what he liked to call “The University” with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Baylor Medical School in 1964 and completed his internship at the University of Oregon Medical School in 1965.

His medical training continued in 1965 as he proudly served in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon and captain for two years at George Air Force Base in California. He completed a residency in general surgery in 1970 followed by a residency in otolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine in 1972. Russ was in private practice in Houston from 1973 until his retirement. He was a member of the Texas Medical Association, the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the Harris County Medical Society and the Houston Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery where he served as President in 1983.

Russel is preceded in death by his loving parents Marjorie Dunn Jacobe and Russel Lee Jacobe.

He will be deeply missed by his wife and the love of his life Brenda Craig Jacobe, as well as his devoted children and their families, Dr. Russel Lee Jacobe III, his wife Dr. Heidi Tewich Jacobe, and their daughter, Peyton Katherine Jacobe, Mr. Michael Copeman Jacobe, his wife Mindy Kate Jacobe and their children Reid Kate Jacobe, Sydney Bess Jacobe and Jack Lee Jacobe, Mrs. Janice Jacobe Davis, her husband Clark Burton Davis and their daughters Jacobe Josephine Davis, Clark Copeman Davis and Cornelia Clifford Davis, Mr. Christopher Craig Jacobe, his wife Samantha Jordan Jacobe and their children Russel Lee Jacobe and Mary Kathryn Jacobe. He is also survived by his loving brother, Ronald Howard Jacobe, his wife Sibyl Johnston Jacobe and their sons Ronald Howard Jacobe, Jr., James Lee Jacobe and Jeffrey Michael Jacobe and their families.

His family would like to extend their most heartfelt appreciation to his three caregivers Robert, Donald and Tawny who made it possible for Poppy to spend his final days in the comfort of his home with his beloved Nina.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 5th of July, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A Memorial Service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 6th of July, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Alex Graham, III is to officiate.

Serving as honorary pallbearers during the service are his brother Ronnie Jacobe, his grandsons Jack Jacobe and Russel Jacobe, his nephews Ronnie Jacobe, Lee Jacobe, Jeff Jacobe, Charles Edward Craig, Jr. and Kenneth Edward Craig, and his son-in-law Clark Davis.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

Prior to the service, the family will gather for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Russ’ honor be directed to Epilepsy Foundation Texas, 2401 Fountain View Drive, Suite 900, Houston, TX 77057.

Unassuming in the most charming way, this highly accomplished great man was the perfect combination of humble and brilliant. Russ treated everyone with genuine kindness and respect. He was a treasure on earth and now an angel in heaven most certainly swinging his golf club and watching over the legacy he created with love and devotion. Forever in our hearts, Poppy’s presence is powerful and everlasting. He often sweetly teased his children that he loved them the most because his heart was the biggest. And it truly was. Rest in peace dear Poppy.