Russell Painton

Russell Elliott Painton passed away on December 9, 2020, after two accidental falls. He was born on December 5, 1940, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Edith Virginia McCutcheon and Dr. Clifford Elliott Painton.

After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, Russell attended Lamar Institute of Technology and The University of Texas at Austin. He graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1963, was employed by Gulf States Utilities and then became an Engineer-Scientist for Microtek International, both in Baton Rouge, LA. Microtek was later purchased by TRACOR, Inc. in Austin, Texas. Russell then returned to UT to obtain his Juris Doctor in 1972. He briefly worked for the law firm of Brown, Maroney, Rose, Baker & Barber. When TRACOR’s growth required an in-house corporate attorney, they brought Russell back to TRACOR. He spent a year employed by Childs, Fortenbach, Beck & Guyton in Houston where he apprenticed with the brilliant Dewuse Guyton and learned TRACOR’s affairs from the ground up. TRACOR was an international defense corporation and the first Austin company to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. He was so proud to travel to New York to view the Texas flag being flown for the first time at the NYSE.

Russell had a diverse and rewarding career with TRACOR, with many acquisitions, divestitures and travels. He was honored to work with two great TRACOR Presidents, Frank W. McBee, Jr. and James B. Skaggs. In 1998, Russell retired when TRACOR was sold. He had attained the office of Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary during his tenure.

Russell was a Sailor’s Sailor and came from a very active sailing family. He and his Dad built his first pram in their garage when Russell was eight. He successfully sailed and raced many different boats: Lightning, Thistle, Cal-25, J-24, J-29, C&C 37 and J-80. He also raced internationally, and four times raced Antigua Race Week. His Mother, Edith, always told the tale that Russell was conceived on a sailboat. We don’t know if it was true or not, but it makes a great story.

Russell was an early member of the Austin Yacht Club on Lake Travis. He was the first author of AYC’s By-laws and Racing Rules, served on and chaired many Committees, and was its Commodore in 1981. He was honored as a Life Member in 2000. He also was a member of the Lake Travis Sailing Association, the Houston Yacht Club and the Rockport Yacht Club.

And Russell was quite a character. He loved being around people and people loved being around him. He won many a “Joke Off” around the campfire or after a sailboat race. He mastered the art of making B-B-Q crabs, Russell Steaks and Painton Shrimp Sauce. He was quick, funny, opinionated and the life of the party. Everyone who met him remembered a Russell story and retold it with a genuine smile.

Russell was an active contributor to many civic associations: Texas Society of Professional Engineers, American, Texas and Travis County Bar Associations, American Electronics Association, American Red Cross, Paramount Theater for the Performing Arts, Austin Better Business Association, Austin Transportation Advisory Board, Austin Science Academy Advisory Board, Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped, National Chamber Litigation Center Advisory Board, Aransas County Education Foundation and Rockport Center for the Arts. He was also a Director of Electrosource, Inc.

Russell married Mary Lynn Weber on May 9, 1981. After they retired, they moved to Rockport, where he became active in sailing, cruising, the Education Foundation and the arts. They also maintained a home on the Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes in Wisconsin, where many good times were enjoyed.

Russell is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn, brother, Gary Mark Painton of Hemphill, one son, Todd Elliott Painton, of Neenah, Wisconsin, and five grandchildren: Elise, Natalie, Pierce, Calden and Drake. He was brother-in-law to nine Webers and their spouses, Uncle to 25 nieces and nephews, and Great-Uncle to 28 great nieces and nephews. They all thought that Russell was a “True Texan” and described him as “Larger Than Life” and an “awesome man with whom you never had a rotten time.”

A celebration of Russell’s life will be held when social gatherings are considered more safe.

Donations in Russell’s honor may be made to the Russell Painton Memorial Fund of the Austin Yacht Club, 5906 Beacon Drive, Austin, Texas 78734.