Jerry Roger Fussell
Jerry “Roger” Fussell, 70, of Silsbee, died Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, surrounded by his wife, children, family, and friends. Roger was born December 2, 1953, in Kirbyville, to Laurine Fussell and Lucian Fussell.
Roger was a proud graduate of the Kirbyville High School class of 1972. He was always an entertainer. He participated in most of the school plays, was the song leader at Kirbyville Church of Christ, and proudly represented the KHS Band as a Texas All-State Band member (Baritone) in 1972.
Roger resided in Silsbee for the past thirty-seven years. Community and providing a positive environment for children was a priority for him. Roger served on the boards for Silsbee Little Theater, Silsbee Little League, and was a charter member of the Hardin County Youth Project Show where he served as President for many years. He was very active in the water utilities industry and served in numerous offices for the Trinity-Neches-Sabine (TNS) Texas Water Utilities Association (TWUA) and President of the Texas Water Utilities Association where he spread the message of professionalism across the state. He was the current President of the Hardin County Farm Bureau, the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District, and a member of the Region I East Texas Regional Water Planning Group.
Roger retired from Lumberton Municipal Utility District after serving for twenty years as the District Manager.
Roger was a friend to anyone and everyone, and never met a stranger. He always had a story to tell and Cindy typically found herself in amazement as Roger made yet another random lifelong friend who knew someone who knew someone else. Roger will be remembered as always being happy with a smile on his face to everyone he met. Roger was truly one of the best of the best.
Roger is survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Cindy; daughter, Desiré Fussell of Nederland; sons, Caleb Cowart and his wife, Whitney, of Prosper, and Jerrod Fussell and his wife, Taylor, of Port Neches; grandchildren, Berklee Cowart and Baker Cowart of Prosper; Lemon Fussell and Livvy Fussell of Port Neches; brothers, Ricky Fussell and his wife, Lisa, and Randy Fussell and his wife, Sherri; and sister, Robin Smathers and her husband, Royce, all of Kirbyville. He is preceded in death by his parents.
A gathering of Roger’s family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024, at Broussard’s Mortuary, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. His funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Call Junction Baptist Church, 23701 US-96, Kirbyville, with his interment to follow at Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Kirbyville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: TNS-TWUA, Memo: Fussell Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 8065, Lumberton, Texas 77657, Attn: BJ Lee-Lewis, or email address, tnstwua@gmail.com.
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Silsbee
- 490, Cemetery Road, Silsbee, Texas, 77656,
- January 5, 2024
- 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Funeral Service
Call Junction Baptist Church Kirbyville
- 23701, U.S. 96, Kirbyville, Texas, 75956,
- January 6, 2024
- 2:00 pm
Interment
Magnolia Springs Cemetery-Kirbyville
- 8263, FM 1005, Kirbyville, Texas, 75956,
- January 6, 2024
Sadden to Hear, Desire Is My Neighbor
My thoughts and prayers to the family. I grew up knowing Roger. I was in class of 1973. Roger truly was a friend to everyone. Unfortunately, I lost track of him a couple years after our graduations.
As many have already stated – he always had a smile on his face and a story to tell!
He will be missed.
Cindy, my heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of your dear Roger. I grew up with Roger and can still see him standing in front of our church in Kirbyville leading singing with his beautiful voice. He sang about Heaven for so many years and now he is part of the heavenly chorus!! My heart grieves with yours. Roger truly was the best of the best!
All our love and prayers for you dear Cindy, Caleb, Desiree, Jerrod and your entire families as you celebrate the life of sweet and dear Roger. He was a great man and our Lord opened his loving arms to him. Please know that we are with you across the miles and will hold your family close today and in the days to come. All our love,
The Cain Family
Cindy, you have to know Roger is touching the hem of our Savior’s garment. His last breath on Earth and his first breath in Heaven must’ve been beautiful for him. Know I’m lifting you and the family from across the miles. I love you sweet friend. 💕
I am so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. He was a fine man and a great servant to Hardin County. Prayers for his family and friends.
I met Roger when I was elected Hardin County Tax Assessor/Collector! My dealings with Roger were through LMUD! I found him to be professional, knowledgeable but most of all friendly!! I know he will be missed!!
Praying for his family and, also, his work family!!
May God keep you in the shadow of his wings!!
I met Roger during my time as Hardin County Tax Assessor Collector! In my working with Roger through LMUD I found him to be one of the nicest people to work!! Very professional, knowledgeable and friendly!
My prayers to his family and those he worked closely with!
May God wrap you in his comforting arms!!!
Truly enjoyed knowing Roger. What a fine, Christian man with a great sense of humor.
He will be missed.
Condolences to the family and may God grant you the peace that passeth all understanding.
Roger and I were friends from 1st grade until now. He was a sweet soul that I remember to always have a smile on his face. He never missed a class reunion and was always there making us smile. Cindy, I hope you know that he was loved by all of us from the Class of 1972 and will be sorely missed at our reunions! Praying for you and your family!
Mr. Fussell was one of a kind. As a mentor I learned so much from him. He has a true servants heart. He was always giving to others, and was a great example of what someone in public service should be. He will be missed by so many, .but I cherish the memories at lumberton MUD with him.
Roger was a classmate (Class of 72) and a friend. I remember him as an extraordinary musician, always smiling, and a great person. I was only near him when I was young, but he enriched my life as I know he did others. He will be missed.
So very sorry for your loss. Mr. Fussell was such a kind man and always had a smile.
Craig and I send our deepest sympathies. Roger was such a good man and a pleasure to work with. He always had a smile on his face. He will be missed by many.
Grew up with my grandparents (Robert & Mozelle) at the Kirbyville Church of Christ. Remember many a Sunday with Roger leading singing. Thanks for the memories. Prayers for peace and comfort for your family.
Roger was a one-of-a-kind friend. You never had to guess where you stood with him. He was always your friend and would do anything in his power to help you. I have had the great pleasure to work with him as an officer in TWUA and as a very loyal customer to my company during his tenure with the City of Silsbee and Lumberton MUD.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Roger and calling him friend since high school days. I met him thru mutual friends from Kirbyville. Roger always had a smile on his face and a conversation to hold with whomever he met. Roger was a great guy. He will be missed by many. Sending prayers to all the family and friends.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May blessed memories of joy comfort you.
Linda Hall
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rogers family during this difficult time. It was a pleasure knowing and working with him through the years.
Wayne Walker
City of Nederland Water Dept. (RETIRED)
Our heartfelt sympathy to family and friends. Roger was a wonderful man and will be missed.
Words cannot describe my respect, love and gratitude I have for Rodger-Dodger! Always smiling and “truly” taking care of everyone and everything around him. I honestly don’t know that even Rodger realized how high he raised the bar for us all! His selfishness, kindness and work ethic will continue to make us smile as we continue this journey. Until we are all reunited with our Heavenly Father. With lots of Love and Aloha. Jennifer, Cleve, Kennedy, Hannah and Peyton Renfro.
Roger always was smiling. He will be missed by many. I was fortunate to work as a contractor with LMUD for many years while he was General Manager. He was very knowledgeable in water and wastewater and a pleasure to work with. My prayers go to his family and friends.
I feel blessed to have known Roger and benefit from his wisdom.
Although it may be difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may cherishing your memories help comfort you tomorrow.
Russell Hamilton
Executive Director
Texas Water Utilities Association