Russell Wilson, 65, passed away on January 20, 2024. He was born in Louisville, KY on Dec. 18, 1958 and grew up in Colorado, Arizona and Texas, where he graduated from Dulles High School in Sugarland in 1977.
Russell was a cell and molecular biologist, graduating from Baylor University with a B.S. in 1981, and from the University of Texas at Dallas with an M.S. and Ph.D. in 1986. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, he joined the faculty of Tulane Medical School. He left Tulane in 1995 to start Autoimmune Technologies, a medical diagnostic test and drug development company, and its sister company, Stadius Biopharma. He served as President and Chief Science Officer for both companies from their inception.
Russell loved spending time with his family, friends, and his dog, Jazz. He had numerous hobbies, interests, and an overall joy for life. As he began retirement, he and his wife became minority owners of a Honduran/American coffee company, Café de mi Pueblo. He loved his work there and especially loved all of the new friends and family he was making.
He is survived by his best friend and wife of 41 years, Tami Rech Wilson; his daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Curt Parker of Mandeville; son, Ryan Wilson of Alexandria, VA; and grandchildren: Benjamin, James, Blake, and Blaire. He is also survived by his sisters Kathy Anderson (Mike) of Wichita Falls, TX; and Salli Karushkat (Jon) of Hot Springs, AR, in addition to his three nieces, his nephew, and all of their children.
He is preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Margaret Wilson, and his sister Virginia Walker.
Russell had an incredibly kind and generous heart and made everyone he met feel like they were a part of his family. He was very loved and will be terribly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 501 Holy Trinity Dr, Covington, LA 70471 on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 11:30 with visitation beginning at 9:30.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Northshore Food Bank, the Northshore Humane Society, or Catholic Relief Services.
