Russell James

Schrowang

Russell James Schrowang went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of August 18th, 2021 in Dallas, Texas, following a surgery to repair his aortic artery. He was sixty-seven.

Russ was born in Spring Valley, Illinois on November 5th, 1953 to Elmer and Mary Schrowang (nee Freebern). He graduated from Tonica High School in Tonica, IL and then took a role at J&L Steel. In Texas, he worked in trucking and logistics, most recently, for Team Worldwide.

Russ met Sue Ann Johnson as part of a bowling league in Peru, IL. They married at First United Methodist Church in Mendota, Illinois on May 19th, 1979. On their honeymoon, they traveled through Texas and fell in love with the green hills, barbecue, and independent spirit of the Texas Hill Country. After a particularly nasty winter in Illinois, they made the choice to pack up the family and move to Austin four months after their wedding. A year later, Russ helped mother-in-law Gladys Johnson and sister-in-law Diane and her daughter Carrie move to the same neighborhood.

Living first in the Austin suburbs and later Cedar Park, Russ and Sue set about raising and growing their family. In Cedar Park, while the rest of the family was at church, the Schrowang house in the Shenandoah subdivision burned to the ground. Russ was at home on call when the fire started and managed to make it out safely. As he liked to tell the story, the fire was still blazing when members of the church and community arrived with donations to help the family.

After the fire, Russ and Sue fulfilled their dream of designing and building their own house in the Durham Park subdivision in Liberty Hill. Russ loved working on the house with his family and friends, clearing trees and brush, and taking long walks through his property, sometimes alone but often with Sue or kids in tow. He also loved sitting on the porch swing with Sue, barbecuing a good brisket, and falling asleep in his recliner with the television blaring. An avid reader, Russ always had a good paperback nearby. He especially loved Louis L'amour, Larry McMurtry, Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, John Grisham, the Bible, and the Reader's Digest.

A deeply devoted Christian, Russ made time for prayer and Bible study every day. He constantly tried to emulate Christ, as evidenced by his graceful spirit, love of his family, forgiving nature, and impressive sense of humor. He instilled his values into his family via coaching them in sports, taking them on adventures and field trips, and teaching them skills like driving, cooking, gardening, and how to kill a rattlesnake.

Russ and Sue achieved another dream by opening a Christian bookstore in Austin. Russ left his job at Pedernales Electric and worked at His Way Books full time. He loved chatting with customers and often brought some of his children along to help work the counter. Later, the bookstore transitioned to a mail-order business selling homeschooling supplies and Russ traveled all over the country with his family selling their wares at book fairs--another chance for Russ to spend quality time with his family.

As the Schrowang children began to grow up and start their own families, Russ and Sue decided to sell their home in Liberty Hill and move into a smaller home in Georgetown. They lived in Georgetown for ten years from 2010 to 2020 while Russ worked as a warehouse manager at Lykes Cartage.

In 2020, Russ retired following a long and diligent career, and Russ and Sue made the decision to move to north Texas to be near their youngest grandchildren. They settled in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where Russ and Sue resided at the time of his passing.

He is survived by his faithful and devoted wife, Sue Ann, by his rambunctious children, Eric Shirey (Elizabeth), Jeremy (Rebecca), Heidi, Jesse (Brooke), Jonah (Joyce), and Levi; by his treasured grandchildren Everett, Ephraim, Eliana, Justin, Caitlyn, Russell, Kolin, Izabelle, Malachi, Micah, Amelia, Emmaline, and Matthias;  great-grandson, Bentley; his brother Michael; and his sisters Ginny Taylor and Cindy Wagner.

He is preceded by his parents, Elmer Henry Schrowang and Mary Elizabeth Schrowang (nee Freebern), his sister Christine Znaniecki, and his parents-in-law Everett Cornelius and Gladys May Johnson (nee Morris).

Family will gather for a graveside service at Liberty Hill Cemetery on Thursday, August 26, 2021 officiated by Pastor Larry Loden, Grace Community Fellowship, Georgetown, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Texas Alliance for Life Trust Fund; 8000 Centre Park Dr. Ste 380, Austin, TX 78754, Answers in Genesis PO Box 510 Hebron, KY 41048. Friends and family can also show their love and support by participating in a MealTrain for Sue at https://mealtrain.com/yez6om

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And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com .