Russell "Rusty" Eugene Hames, age 48, was called home on August 18, 2023, at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. Rusty fought a strong and courageous battle for 58 days following his 5th open heart surgery on June 22, 2023. He was born October 1, 1974, to Ron and Carolyn Hames in Memphis, Tennessee.

The doctors told Ron that he was dusky, and they were concerned his heart was not fully developed. This was the beginning of Rusty's journey as a heart warrior. Rusty was considered a pioneer in congenital heart medicine. Rusty had Transposition of the Great Arteries and a Ventral Septal Defect. In short, his pulmonary and aortic arteries were reversed, and he was missing the wall between his ventricles. New techniques and technologies were always one step ahead of his needs. You never had to ask; Rusty would openly tell everyone, "I'm a miracle, you know."

He continually beat the odds the doctors gave his parents and family. He had his first procedure at three days old to help increase the oxygen flow to his heart. In 1977, God placed Ron and Carolyn in New York for work, right where Rusty needed to be for his first corrective surgery in 1978. The surgeons performed a new procedure called a Rastelli, where they constructed a new pulmonary artery and built a septum between his ventricles. They were only in New York for 18 months before returning to Memphis.

In 1981, Ron's work brought the family to the Houston area. Klein, Texas became home for the Hames Family, and Rusty began his 42-year relationship with Texas Children's Hospital. In 1986, at twelve years old, he returned to New York for his 2nd open heart surgery to replace his pulmonary valve.

Rusty's endurance and complex heart never allowed him to play sports, but that did not keep him from being involved. He loved sports. Rusty spent all four years in high school working for the Houston Oilers as a ball boy and equipment manager. He had countless memories and stories of attending training camp with them in the summers and spending Sundays in the stadium. He would share his stories with anyone who would listen. His Oilers experience led him to be a basketball manager at Klein High School all four years, earning his letter jacket and building a deep friendship with his future wife, Christy, the team's athletic trainer. He worked for the Sacramento Gold Miners the summer after graduation and attended Arkansas State University as an equipment manager with the football team in the fall. After his freshman year, he missed home and returned to attend the University of Houston as the equipment manager for the football team. At the start of the 1994 football season, Rusty and Christy finally accepted God's plan to be lifelong friends and began dating. They knew then they would get married, and the life they wanted for their family would not involve professional sports.

Rusty followed Christy to Sam Houston State University. They were married on December 28, 1996. While at SHSU, they became actively involved in the Agricultural Department, traveling with Collegiate FFA, Agribusiness Quiz Bowl Team, and the Meat Goat Show Team. In May 1998, Rusty's pulmonary valve needed to be replaced again, making this his 3rd open-heart surgery. This was Rusty's 1st surgery to be performed at Texas Children's. Rusty spent the summer recovering and took 21 hours in the fall to graduate in December with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business.

In January 1999, Rusty began his career in commercial lending at Citizen Bank of Texas in New Waverly.  Throughout his career, his customers loved him because he was all about relationships and was not your average banker.

In May of 2002, Rusty's doctors told him the valve was not doing well, and he needed another replacement surgery. Rusty negotiated with the doctors to schedule the surgery around the birth of their 1st child Ryan Elliott Hames. Rusty wanted to hold him before surgery because he knew he would not be able to hold him for eight weeks after. Four weeks after the birth of Ryan, Rusty had his 4th open heart surgery. This surgery was very difficult and lasted over thirteen hours. In December of 2006, their 2nd child Reece Everett Hames was born.

Rusty knew the value of family and quality time. Although he excelled in his career at Comerica as a Senior Lender since 2010, he never sought promotions because they would restrict what was most important to him, family. Rusty logged more volunteer hours than anyone else at the bank. He coached his boys in baseball, was a leader in scouts, and spent many hours coordinating events with the Junior League.

In 2014, Rusty's valve needed to be replaced. Once again, technological advancements allowed his doctors to use a Melody Valve as a replacement without opening his chest. Rusty's heart, over the next nine years, presented many new challenges that the doctors continued to try and solve. Despite his pain and fatigue, he continued to be as involved in activities as he was physically able.

He loved cooking, and next to sarcasm, this was his love language. He always cooked for his family and often could be found cooking for the scouts, church groups, and anyone that would let him. Sports was a large part of Rusty's life. In addition to his time as an equipment manager for multiple organizations, he enjoyed watching and keeping track of multiple teams and players. One of his more endearing passions was fishing. Whether it was alone, with his kids, or hanging out with some of his closest friends, fishing was always an option. A nightly activity for Rusty was reading. Partially read books could be found by the bedside, office, and in the bathroom. When he was traveling and not able to read books, he would listen to audio books for hours on end. Rusty loved his monthly poker games as an opportunity to relax with his family and friends on a Friday night. Rusty respected firearms and was knowledgeable with the safety and training of firearms. He always took time to educate people and help them feel comfortable around a gun, most recently some of his nieces.

Rusty's journey as a heart warrior was an inspiration to many. During his hospital stays he would walk the floor and find young families to talk with about their circumstances. We were always proud of the hope he gave families regarding the possibilities for today's children born with similar conditions. His boldness in speaking up and asking questions shaped the way his doctors approached their patients.

Rusty is survived by his wife of 27 years, Christy Hames; his two sons, Ryan (21) and Reece (16); father and mother, Ron and Carolyn Hames, brother Eric Hames with his wife Annie and two children, Rush (11) and Addi (5), his sister Renee Tristan with her husband Jose and two daughters Bella (13) and Lina (9).

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Major Buren Jackson and Ruth Jackson, Roy and Loubeth Hames, uncles Bob Jackson and Roy Hames Jr. and two infant nephews.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 10:30 AM at Northside Christian Church, located at 20250 Kuykendahl Rd, Spring, TX 77379. The family requests Hawaiian shirts or casual clothing.

Lunch reception and remembrance will follow at Northside Christian Church.

Donations can be made to Rusty's personal fundraising Page in his honor at: http://give.texaschildrens.org/goto/HonorRusty