Memorial Fund for Thomas Russell

On October 24th, 2017, our family received an unfortunate phone call informing us that our brother, Thomas Russell, tragically had taken his own life. 
If you were blessed enough to have known Thomas, you would remember him as a caring, kind, and helpful soul. Sadly, our brother battled everyday with his mental health. 


No one knew the torment,
that you were going through;
We only kept on seeing
What we really wanted to.

We saw the outward smile,
but not your inner pain;
We never really dreamt,
That you would never smile again.

Forgive us if we failed to see,
What we could do to aid;
Or if we failed to comprehend,
How much you were afraid.

We pray your mental anguish,
Will now forever cease;
And that your deep anxieties,
Will be replaced by peace.

We know your pain invaded,
Every single thought you had;
It made you cry internally,
And deeply, deeply sad.

But we in turn remember,
The good times, not the bad;
We remember when you smiled at us,
And not when you were sad.

So when we think about your life,
We won’t dwell upon its close;
We’ll remember all the good times,
And forget about life’s blows.

We’ll remember all the happiness,
The joy and not the tears;
The assurance and the confidence,
And not irrational fears.

Our lives have all been better,
Because you have been there;
So now we leave your memory,
In God’s all-loving care.
(c) 2008 Dick Underwood 

Thomas leaves behind not only all of us, but also his son Dean. 
Dean holds a great passion for movie production which includes film making and cinematography. He attends the Los Angeles High School for the Arts and resides with his mother, Victoria, in Los Angeles, California. 
This brave young man is not only left with a broken heart but also faces a very different chapter in his life. 

It it is our family's wish that our memorial fund will help Dean further his education and help to him to pursue his talents and dreams. 

Any donation amount is greatly appreciated and we thank you for remembering and honoring our very special brother, Tommy, during this difficult time.