Dr. Russell F. Theriot died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at his home with his family. He was 61.

Russell was born in Crowley, La., Jan. 15, 1947, and grew up in nearby Gueydan, La. He was a member of the U.S. Army for three years before being honorably discharged in 1969, after which he returned to Louisiana and entered college. He graduated from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, La., with his Bachelor of Science in wildlife management in 1972 and with his Master of Science in botany in 1974. He received his Ph.D. in aquatic and wetland ecology from the University of Florida in 1992.

He worked as a wetlands biologist for the State of Florida Department of Natural Resources from 1974 until 1976. He and his family moved to Vicksburg in the summer of 1976, where he began working for the Environmental Research and Development Center (formerly Waterways Experiment Station) Environmental Laboratory. When he retired in 2004, he was director of the Wetlands Research and Technology Center at WES.

Russell served on several national and international committees, including the PIANC Environmental Committee Work Group 7 Wetlands Protection and Restoration Committee, the National Interagency Wetland Plant List Review Panel, the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils, the International Working Group on Grass Carp, the United States/Japan Natural Resources Coastal Science and Technology Panel, and the White House Office on Environmental Policy Committee, where he was instrumental in developing “The Clinton Administration Wetlands Plan” in 1993.

He authored numerous journal articles and was a member of many national and international associations. He was well-known in his field, both nationally and internationally. He retired from the federal government in 2004. During his service with the government, he received many awards and commendations, including the United States Army Engineer Regiment Bronze de Fleury Medal, awarded to him at his retirement ceremony. This award is presented to an individual who has rendered significant service or support to an element of the Engineer Regiment. He was also awarded the 2004 Society of Wetlands Scientists’ Merit Award for outstanding achievement in wetland science.

Russell was preceded in death by his father, Wilton J. Theriot Jr., of Gueydan.

Survivors include his mother, Kathleen Porter Theriot of Gueydan; his loving wife of 40 years, Patricia Bales Theriot of Vicksburg; his two children, Sheri Theriot Little and Craig T. Theriot and his wife, Alicia Assenheimer Theriot, also of Vicksburg; six grandchildren, Anna Kathleen Little, Landon Joseph Little and Luke Colter Little; and Ryan Patrick Theriot, Kieran Michael Theriot and Elizabeth Grace Theriot, also of Vicksburg.

He is also survived by six brothers, Wilton J. Theriot, Robert P. Theriot and his wife, Nona P. Theriot, Chris P. Theriot and his wife, Stella C. Theriot, all of Gueydan, Dr. Ed Theriot of New Orleans, Bret J. Theriot and his wife, Jada, of Abbeville, La., Bart J. Theriot and his wife, Cynthia L. Theriot, of Butte LeRose, La.; and one sister, Annette K. Hatch of Lafayette, La.; sisters-in-law Donna Theriot, Karen Theriot and Brenda Theriot; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. P.J. Curley officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. today, Sept. 26, followed by a prayer service at 7 at Riles Funeral Home and Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the service.

Pallbearers are brothers Wilton J. Theriot, Dr. Ed Theriot, Robert P. Theriot, Chris P. Theriot, Bart J. Theriot, Bret J. Theriot; and nephews, Jeremy and Ben Theriot and Mike Cormier.

Honorary pallbearers are Tom Patin, Bob Engler, Russ Tillman, Glenn Rhett, Bob Lazor, Dana Sanders, Charles Calhoun, Lewis Decel, Buddy Clairain, Al Cofrancesco, Giovanni Baldizon, Billie Skinner, Lorraine Smithhart and Becky Shaw, all friends and colleagues of the deceased; and Joey Bales, Ron Bales and Gene Bales, brothers-in-law of the deceased.

The family would also like to take this opportunity to thank Patient’s Choice Hospice, especially Sabrina Rogers, who always made him smile and Whitney Doiron, HouseCall Practitioners Inc., and Father P.J. Curley, whose compassion gave Russell and the family peace.

The family also wishes to especially thank their Angels of Mercy, Lois Woods and Sandra Hydrick, for taking such good care of all of them for many years.  

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made on Russell’s behalf to any of the following organizations:  Patients’ Choice Hospice, 1911 Mission 66, Vicksburg, MS 39180; the Russell F. Theriot Science and Technology Memorial Trust at Vicksburg Catholic School, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39183; or St. Michael Catholic Church, 100 St. Michael Place, Vicksburg, MS 39180.