James Eulis Russell was born the son of Clarence Russell and Edith Risner Russell on February 27, 1927 in Couch, Missouri and departed this life on July 10, 2019 at Shady Oaks Healthcare in Thayer, Missouri at the age of 92 years.
He was united in marriage to Helen Augusta Lassiter on August 31, 1947 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. They spent almost seventy-two wonderful years together.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Russell of the home in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; four children, Carol Anita Presley and husband, Lee, Leveta Ann Washam and husband, Dale, James Joey Russell and wife, Shiela, and Jacqueline Sue Vest and husband, Ron, all of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, Cherie Carr, Derek Presley, Leigha Presley, Brad Washam, Candace Lehman, Allen Russell, Kayly King and Jessy Jo Martin; three brothers, Olen Russell of Thayer, Missouri, Bill Russell and wife, Marie, of Thayer, Missouri and Phillip Russell of Kansas City, Missouri; twenty-two great and great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Edith Russell; one child, Katherine Elane Russell; one brother, Bob Russell; and one sister, Verneal Laster.
Jim was a Christian and long-time member of the Mammoth Spring First Baptist Church in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. He started attending the church in 1950 and was a devoted member for as long as his health permitted. He was also a Deacon for many years and remains an inactive Deacon to this day.
He was a Conductor for Frisco Railway and BNSF Railway, retiring after forty-three years of dedicated service. He was a Veteran of the United States Army and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
Jim enjoyed restoring antique cars, farming cattle and deer hunting in his free time. He was an avid Arkansas Razorback and St. Louis Cardinal fan and enjoyed getting to watch their games with his family and friends. Most of all, Jim loved spending time with his family.
Jim was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and a friend to all. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Mammoth Spring First Baptist Church in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with Brother Charles Morgan officiating.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, July 13, 2019 from 10:00 AM until the service time at the Church in Mammoth.
Interment will be held at the Thayer Cemetery in Thayer, Missouri following the services with arrangements under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s memory to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Donations can be left at the funeral home.