Staff Reports
Russell H. Dilday Jr., who had been head of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, died, leaving behind a lot of sad alumni. The students at the seminary were very grateful for Dilday's leadership, and he worked hard to strengthen the teachers and improve the facilities. Because he worked so hard to grow the fund, Southwestern Seminary is still being blessed. David S. Dockery, the current head of the college, said in a statement that he was sad about Dilday's death and grateful for the way he led the seminary.
“As a student, I always appreciated his leadership for the seminary and his care for students. He worked tirelessly to strengthen the faculty and to grow the endowment during these early years of his presidency.”
– @davidsdockeryRead more: https://t.co/ik7uue4Uyo
— Southwestern Seminary (@SWBTS) June 22, 2023
Chancellor O.S. Hawkins also said, "He loved the Lord and left a legacy." Even though Hawkins and Dilday were on different parts of the Southern Baptist Convention, Hawkins never stopped loving and respecting Dilday. This shows how much of an impact Dilday had on everyone he met.
Russell H. Dilday Jr., sixth president of Southwestern Seminary, dies | Baptist Press. Russell became my pastor when I was in high school.Years later when led to leave the business world for full time ministry,he was a great encouragement.Always Thankful https://t.co/jCy8Tqa8h5
— Bryant Wright (@bryantwright) June 23, 2023
From a young age on, it was clear that Dilday was committed to his faith. He became a Christian when he was nine years old, and a year later, he led a friend to Christ. Dilday's faith was changed by what he saw and heard at a revival meeting put on by preacher George W. Truett. It also led him to Southwestern Seminary.
His devotion went beyond his religion, though, as Dilday went on to become a pastor at Antelope Baptist Church in Jack County, Texas, before going back to Southwestern Seminary as an adjunct professor. There, he became a great source of hope for everyone who knew him.
The death of Russell H. Dilday Jr. is a big loss for the school and for everyone who knew him. But his memory will live on as a reminder of how strong his faith was and how much he cared about the people around him.
