James “Jim” Russell, son of the late Roscoe Russell and Nena Buchanan Russell, was born near Bernie, Missouri, on June 2, 1930, and departed this life at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, on December 18, 2022, at the age of 92 years.
Mr. Russell was very community driven, he served 39 years in the United States Army and Missouri National Guard, serving deployments in Korea, Honduras, and Panama. Jim was known for his cooking at his church, the American Legion, and at the Stars and Stripes on Veterans Day. He served on the Richland High School Board, Stoddard County Extension Council, Stoddard County Children’s Home, and the Stoddard County Fair Board. Jim was a Star Banner 4-H Leader, and an American Legion Honor Guard member. He was a retired farmer, and later worked as a grain inspector for the State of Missouri. Jim’s hobbies were the National Guard, gardening, and cooking.
Jim was united in marriage to Carrol Slinkard on May 16, 1951, in Dexter, Missouri, and they had two sons.
He is survived by his wife, Carrol Russell of their home in Dexter, Missouri; by his sons, Terry Russell and wife Cathy of Fredericktown, Missouri and Randy Russell of Dexter, Missouri; by a daughter, Wilma Pennington and husband Randy of Dexter, Missouri; by his sister, Polly Sheets of Dexter, Missouri; by six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Alice Keller, Ruth Gilliam, Betty Meyer, and Barbara Edwards (his twin); by two brothers, David Russell, and Jerry Russell; and by a beloved daughter-in-law, Betty Russell.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Mike Williams officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to The Harty House or Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter, Missouri, or First Christian Church, 224 E Stoddard Street, Dexter, Missouri.
Pallbearers will be T.J. Russell, Wes Russell, Will Hunter, David Russell, Bryan Pennington, and Seth Pennington.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
