Debra A. Cavanaugh
November 28, 1950 ~ April 4, 2015
Debra A. Cavanaugh died peacefully and gracefully on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at her home in San Antonio, Texas after a courageous and well-fought 2.5 year battle with brain cancer. Born on November 28, 1950 in Beaumont, Texas, Debra was the second oldest of four children born to Clive and Adeline Hartsfield. Shortly after birth, the family moved to San Antonio where she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1969. She attended St. Mary's University as a part time student until she enlisted in the Air Force in 1975. Upon earning her Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of New Hampshire in 1978, she received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant into the AF Medical Service Corp.
During her 27 year career in the Air Force, Debra had multiple assignments in the United States and Europe including Deputy Wing Commander at Brooks AFB where she was selected for promotion to Colonel. While on assignment to Germany she met, and eventually married, James Russell. Together they helped raise three daughters and two sons. In April 2002 she retired from AETC at Randolph AFB.
Something that brought Debra great joy and pride was being the Air Force liaison to the Fisher family during the construction of one of the first Fisher Houses at Wright Patterson AFB. After retiring from the military, Debra went to work for TriWest in Phoenix as VP of Operations where she continued to serve military healthcare beneficiaries and be the liaison to the Fisher family as they built additional long term housing at military hospitals, including the Wounded Warrior Center in San Antonio. In addition to her work with the Fisher family, Debra served as the liaison to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and was fascinated meeting with and talking to recipients at their annual meeting. In 2012, due to health issues, she returned to San Antonio to be with her family.
Debra is preceded in death by her mother and father Clive and Adeline Hartsfield and her sister Tina Hartsfield Rodriguez. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Sabra Dunn and husband Robert, her brother Clive Hartsfield III and wife Florence, her husband James D. Russell, her sons Sean Cavanaugh and wife Tracie, Lowell H. Russell, her daughters Erin Hausner and husband Steve, Jessica Russell and husband James Fendley, Nicole Gold and husband Aaron, and grandchildren Jade, Mason, Cody, Jennifer and Christian.
Debra was a loving wife and a true inspiration to many. No obstacle was too difficult for her to overcome and she profoundly touched the lives of those that were fortunate to cross paths with her. She will be remembered for her kind heart and unselfish love.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m. at LUX Funeral Home, 1254 Business IH 35 North, New Braunfels 78130. Interment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at a later date. The family invites those in attendance to help celebrate her life by wearing bright, spring colors.
The family would also like to give special thanks to Dr. Lisa Fichtel and Dr. Christopher Bogaev and their staff for their excellent care throughout Debra's treatments. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you send donations to the Fisher House, American Cancer Society or the Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHS) Historical Preservation Society (P.O. Box 5567, San Antonio, Texas 78201-0567) with the Memo: Fountain restoration in honor of Debra Hartsfield Cavanaugh.
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Debra will be sorely missed by us all. She was a true colleague, mentor, patriot, and friend.
Debra was a true leader and friend. I am so lucky to have known her. God rest her soul. Our best to Dennis and her family. Alice and Chip Demarais
Debra was like a mother to me. She mentored me in my early career and was one of the greatest bosses I’ve had. I consider myself lucky to have gained her friendship over the years as well. Her family and friends all knew her to be loyal and kind. My prayers are with all of Debra’s family during this difficult time.
Debra touched everyone she met, she was one of the most kind, gentle yet strong women I have known, who positively influenced my life in many ways over the years. She was always so kind to me and Joey, and Debra always was there for me no matter what. I will always be thankful to her for all she taught me as my work leader and friend. Blessings to you, Dennis, and also to your family during this very difficult time.
My prayers and condolences for Debbie and her family. Our paths seldom crossed while in the Air Force, but we have shared luncheons after retirement. She was a classy lady and well regarded by all. She fought a fierce fight. She will be remembered in my prayers.
We are all going to miss Deb’s warmth and caring for others. She was a great leader in uniform and also working at the side of her friends and colleagues at TriWest where she cared for the extended military family. She was a fighter that always looked for the positive. God bless her, Dennis, and her family. Mac
Deb was a wonderful colleague and teammate. It was a pleasure to work by her side while we were at TriWest. She always had a positive approach to the most difficult situations and I learned alot about patience from Deb. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Dennis and your famiy during this difficult time. Lorraine
Our deepest condolences on this very sad occasion. Deb was a good friend, a superior professional, and a truly gifted leader. No matter how busy she was or how intense the work, Deb always had a smile on her face and words of encouragement to keep things positive. Our nation has lost a true patriot and our community has lost a great friend. We will all miss her very much. Warmest regards, Steve and Maggie
Deb and I worked together at Randolph and I appreciated her professionalism, friendship and hard work and dedication. She is a patriotic and she will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was one of the finest officers and lady to work with and know. She has left a void and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
My deepest condolences. Deb was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed.
Debra always found the time to support me and my team at TriWest. A true professional, a wonderful friend, and a beautiful person. I am proud to call her my “Sister”. Her loving memory will go on living forever in our hearts.
I met Debra more than 50 years ago during a family reunion near Boerne, Texas. As a youth I appreciated Debra’s fine qualities as a young girl. Such qualities have been very well expressed by others who knew her very well in more recent times. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family.
A class lady who inspired us all. May Godspeed all the family. Charlie & Peggy Brown
Debra will certainly be missed. She was one of the kindest and most compassionate people I knew. I wish her family well. Just know the she had an impact on so many people she touched.
I was so sorry to learn of Debra’s death. I was so glad we were able to connect again so many years after junior high and high school. I am not going to be able to make the memorial service since I will be at the Thomas Jefferson High School Historical Preservation Society (TJHS HPS) Open House at the school. I was so moved to read that one of the donations request was to the TJHS HPS project for the fountain restoration in her memory. I will definitely be doing that. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Blessings, Dana (Goodwin) Ward TJHS Class of 1969 TJHS HPS Advisory Board Member
I was so sorry to learn of Debra’s death. I was so glad we were able to connect again so many years after junior high and high school. I am not going to be able to make the memorial service since I will be at the Thomas Jefferson High School Historical Preservation Society (TJHS HPS) Open House at the school. I was so moved to read that one of the donations request was to the TJHS HPS project for the fountain restoration in her memory. I will definitely be doing that. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Blessings, Dana (Goodwin) Ward TJHS Class of 1969 TJHS HPS Advisory Board Member
Eternal rest grant unto Debra O Lord and let perpetual Light shine upon her! Dennis and family know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Alfredo Ontiveros And Family.
Debra was an amazing woman and leader who touched the lives of everyone around her. She was a compassionate friend and thoughtful mentor—and her warm spirit had a lasting impact on those of us privileged to have known here. My condolences and sympathies go out to Dennis and the entire family during this difficult time.
It was a privilege to have been associated with Deb during my time at Randolph. She was the consummate professional. My condolences to her family. May Deb’s memory be eternal.
My deepest sympathy to all! Debra was an amazing woman, and I know she will be missed dearly! Praying for all the ones she left behind, that they will be comforted by sweet memories of her! God Bless, Audrey
Deb and I went to MSC school together in 1978. Over the years, we stayed in touch and it was wonderful to catchup with her at ACHE’s Congress or other places we found ourselves together. She was most kind, a wonderful listener, thoughtful and caring. She never shared her personal challenges and we were saddened to learn of her health issues and her passing. She will be missed by so many friends and colleagues. Our hearts go out to her family.