Russell Theodore Schoepf

Russ was born on July 29, 1926 in Wauchula, Florida. During his boyhood years Russ said he enjoyed walking around barefooted and playing, selling magazines at the Florida State College for Women (when he was 5 or 6!), and playing football and baseball. He enjoyed listening to “Amos and Andy” every Saturday afternoon on the radio and as a teenager loved Frank Sinatra. His ambition as a child was to come to Texas and be a cowboy. Come to Texas he would, but before he could follow his cowboy dreams, he spent two years in the United States Navy.

After returning from military service and graduating High School, Russ attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He met the love of his life, Lynne Pevateaux, Thanksgiving of 1947 when they had both stayed at SMU for the break. They went on a date to the Pig Stand and their “funny boxes got tickled and we laughed all night long”. Russ said he loved Lynne because she was pretty, and witty, and affectionate. They were married at Bering Memorial Methodist Church on June 18, 1949 and were married for 72 years until Lynne passed away in 2021. They raised three children in Houston while Russ worked in accounting and as a treasurer of the Milwhite company in Houston.

Russ, better known as Papa to his family for many years, was a warm, caring, genuine, and generous man. He loved his family well, served his church faithfully, and was interested and curious about so many things in this life. He was a wonderful conversationalist and always asked such good and specific questions about family members, friends, occupations, travel etc. Though he is gone, we hope we are able to carry on his legacy of generosity of spirit, of paying more attention to details (especially when it comes to people), and of humility. He is so loved and will be missed by family, friends and caregivers. All would agree that we are so, so blessed to have called him ours.

Russ is preceded in death by his son Rusty and his wife Lynne, and is survived by son Joel Schoepf Sr., daughter Susan Lynne Benton, brother Burton Schoepf, 5 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 2 great, great grandchildren.

A visitation for Russell will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, Texas 77055. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday at Terrace United Methodist Church, 1203 Wirt Road, Houston, Texas 77055. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m., in Field Store Cemetery, FM 1488, Waller, Texas 77484.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.waltripfuneraldirectors.com for the Schoepf family.