Russell E. Swann, M.D.

Russell E Swann, M.D. was born May 13, 1947, in Jackson, MS and passed over into the Presence of his LORD and Savior on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL.

His body was given a private burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Tx on June 12, 2026.

A Memorial service will be hosted by his family at a future date in Waco, and his family extends an invitation to all who knew and loved Russell Swann to join us in celebrating a life well lived. An announcement of the service will be posted on this website.

Russell was the first born and son of Richard E. Swann Jr. and Edythe Kengla Swann. His father was an army officer serving our country in WWII and his mother was one of the earliest female flight attendants for American Airlines. His father was from New Orleans and Russell, like his father loved that city and like his father graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans. His mother was a 5-foot 2 petite brunette from a large ranching and railroad family in Arizona. She was known for her strong will and adventurous soul. Edythe was one of the first female attendants for American Airlines. I asked her once what had attracted her to her husband and her answer was “He was persistent “. She lived to be 102 1/2. Russell Swann’s parents gave him a legacy that included the pursuit of excellence, determination and the joy of life. Russell was the personification of their legacy, and “Persistence” should have been his middle name. Additionally, he was strong willed to the core. Russell definitely didn’t like the word “no” or the phrases “can’t happen or can’t be done”. Persistence and a love for adventure were the elements that fueled Russell’s ability to live life to the fullest, love his wife Renee Presley Swann inspirationally, raise his sons to be men of integrity and serve his patients with the highest level of commitment. His devotion to the Holy Scriptures and his personal relationship with the LORD, made Russell’s life a living epistle for the testimony of the salvation given to mankind through Yeshua, the Messiah of all Israel. He thought “outside the box of religiosity “which allowed him to love the LORD with his all, and to love his neighbor as himself. 

Russell E. Swann, M.D., was a graduate of Tulane Medical School, and completed a residency in Ophthalmology at the prestigious Ochsner Foundation in New Orleans. Russell married his wife Renee Presley from San Antonio in 1977. They spent 50 years in total devotion to one another, they were known to be soul mates, and one another’s best advocates. Russell and Renee chose Waco Texas to start his practice in Ophthalmology and raise their four sons, Presley, Beau, Bradley and Britt who are known to many as “the Swann boys”. He served as a coach in Lake Air Little League while his sons enjoyed one of Waco’s best treasures. Russell had a humble servant’s heart and always poured out all that he had to give to his patients at Brazos Eye Surgery of Texas. He had a great aesthetic sense, loved good food, great wine, and travel. He was additionally a perfectionist which served him well as an Ophthalmologist and surgeon. His medical reputation in the world of Ophthalmology was highly respected. He loved being an Ophthalmologist and dedicated his clinic to the Biblical verse, “from You flow rivers of living water and in Your Light, we see light.” Russell and Renee served together as Bible study leaders, medical missionaries, and business partners. Russell’s family, friends, patients and fellow believers will testify that he made a real and lasting difference in their lives, and the lives of many people around the world. Russell was an excellent sailor and with Renee at the bow following his orders, they raced their sailboat competitively and often placed well. He served as Commodore of the Waco Sailing Club for several years. He liked to say” life is in the wind and when you can’t control the wind you have to adjust the sails and sail on”. Those words of his guided the way he was a father to his sons, and his wife Renee says that he was the wind beneath her wings.

Russell’s indelible personality allowed him to accomplish much in his life as the world measures accomplishment and success. He recently celebrated his Tulane Medical School’s 50th reunion. He attended the event in New Orleans a year ago with his very best friend Dr. Gregory Bertucci from Biloxi, who he loved as a brother. Dr. Russell, and Dr. Greg loved their work in Ophthalmology and were both recently awarded a lifetime achievement award from their alma mater.

Russell cherished his three daughters in law, Laura, Presley’s wife, who Russell called sunshine from the moment he met her, Jordan, Bradley’s wife, who he called his hero, and Ashton, Britt’s wife who he called effervescence.

Russell leaves eight grandchildren Asher, Axel, Ellie Kay, Violet Ann, David Tyler, Luke, Collins and Casey who he called gifts from the LORD and blessings. Russell’s favorite blanket was one with pictures of his grandchildren on it.

His wife, Renee says that the greatest memory that she will cherish of the one she called “my Russell” was watching him every Shabbat, called Saturday on the weekly calendar, as he raised his right hand for blessing and prayed for his children and his children’s children.

The words of his prayer are these:

"May the LORD protect and defend you may He always keep you from shame, may you come to be in Israel a shining name. May you be like Ruth and like David. May you be deserving of praise. Favor them oh LORD and keep them from the strangers ways. May God bless you and grant you long lives. May God make you good husbands and wives."

"May the LORD protect and defend you May the Lord preserve you from pain. Favor them oh LORD with happiness and peace oh hear my sabbath prayer amen. He never failed to sing as he prayed this every Shabbat morning. It will now be prayed and sung in his honor by his wife Renee as she now navigates her journey without her beloved husband at the helm of their family."

Russell chose for himself and his house to return to the ancient paths of Torah and the Prophets in 2000 after his first visit to Israel. It was there, in the promised Land, that he committed himself to love YHVH the One True God, with all his heart, mind, soul and strength, and to not lean on religions or traditions of men. His additional resolve was to learn how to love others as the LORD would have him love. Russell professed faith in Yeshua, Jesus, and trusted thoroughly in the blessed hope of His resurrection. Russell Swann was an "all in" kind of man. He was a quiet man, a humble man, a thinking man, a generous man. He was never ashamed of choosing the narrow path even when he was misunderstood and even persecuted for his faith. Russell had questioned “New Testament” interpretations and traditions of men from his youth. He received the roots of his faith as a child at St. Monica’s Catholic School and Jesuit Preparatory School in Dallas where he grew up. Russell accredited Jesuit for teaching him critical thinking and instilling academic excellence. He trusted his heart to the LORD as a child and would testify that he always felt “blessed” by the LORD after winning an apple pie at a school fund raiser. He gave his hard-earned dime for a raffle ticket thinking that it was impossible to win but he wanted to give his money to his loved school. He really wanted that homemade pie though and prayed that the LORD would let him win it. The LORD answered his sweet innocent request and Russell’s favorite dessert became apple pie. But most importantly Russell’s pursuit of knowing the LORD was birthed in his childlike heart.

His favorite verse to quote from the Bible was from Matthew 5:17. Russell studied the Bible from Hebrew and Aramaic translations in addition to the Greek. So, he fully rejected agendas and misinterpretations that Yeshua was instructing his disciples to abolish, the Law of God. Russell taught that many religious leaders and doctrines then and now speak falsely of the testimony of Yeshua when they promote the idea that the Torah, the writings of the Prophets, and historical writings of the “Old Testament” were “done away with” by Jesus. Russell declared in his faith walk that Yeshua, Jesus, explicitly corrected the false assumptions of religious leaders and false doctrines by stating in Matthew 5:17 and the following verses, that HIS purpose was to establish and complete the Scriptures on earth as it is written rather than destroy them so that mankind could live in the Kingdom of God eternally with HIM. Additional, Russell said that the completion of the Scriptures in Messiah brought a radical Holy Spirit driven ability to obey the Law in Spirit and Truth with the full testimony of Moses and the Lamb of God here while we are on earth as it exists now. His love for the LORD was the catalyst for choosing to live in Truth and following the Way. Russell, therefore, returned to observing, in obedience, the appointed times of the LORD. He and Renee taught together the marvelous prophetic reality and values of the Biblical feasts. Russell labored long in the vineyard of the LORD, knowing that the LORD’s harvest brings forth the very best fruit. Russell Swann now rests in the Presence of the Creator awaiting the resurrection of the saints who died in Messiah who will live forever in the new Heaven, new Earth, and New Jerusalem.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife and family, his five siblings, his two sisters-in-law, and their families, his cousins, his friends, his medical colleagues, and his community of believers. If you would like to honor the memory of Russell E. Swann, please make contributions to Texas Alliance for Life, Tunnels to Towers, the non-profit: Fatherless and Widows Inc., Jacob’s Tent Fellowship at jacobstent.org, or plant a tree in Israel in his memory through holylandtree.com.

Best yet, Russell would be most honored if you would want to find the Way, the Truth, and the Life that Yeshua the Messiah offers because of his life’s testimony. He would tell you that Jesus, Yeshua, chose the penalty of death in your place so that you can call out to YHVH, the LORD, for His Salvation, Yeshua. Yeshua loves you and will save you from sin. Yeshua will give you eternal life. Russell would tell you that the whole of His word is written of Him in the Bible which is the nautical chart to sailing the troubled waters of this life. Russell would want you to give your last dime to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. If you choose today to give your life to the LORD, rejoice, go tell someone, and begin to learn how marvelous are His ways in the earth, and His promises in Heaven. Russell’s wife Renee will be blessed to hear your good news, and you can reach her through the Brazos Eye Surgery clinic. She can help you find further resources in your faith walk and recommend a place of fellowship with true believers.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Russell on his “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.