James, Russell Leroy - 1927-2021

DAVIS, JAMES, ROTEN

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 5/2/2024 at 10:18:44

Russell James, 94, of Grinnell and formerly of Lynnville, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, at Unity Point Health Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Lynnville Heart of Worship. Interment with military honors was at Woodland Cemetery in Lynnville. Memorials may be designated to Lynnville Heart of Worship and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Russell Leroy James was born the eldest child of Elizabeth (Roten) and Harold James south of Sully on their family farm on June 3, 1927. Russell was educated at Black Oak Country School and Lynnville High School. He lived and worked on the family farm until Sept. 9, 1953, when he enlisted into the U.S. Army. He served in the military for two years.
Russell was united in marriage to Ramona Davis on Dec. 27, 1953, in Knoxville. Their marriage was blessed with a son, David, on June 29, 1956. Following Russell’s discharge from the service on Dec. 9, 1955, he purchased the sundries store in Lynnville and operated the store until 1962. After selling the store, he took a position as manager of Tice Feed and Grain in Lynnville for 22 years and then took a position at Rhinehart Seed and Feed as an outside salesman. Russell retired in 1990. The family moved from Lynnville to Grinnell in 1963. Russell and Ramona were longtime members of Lynnville Heart of Worship. Russell’s enjoyments were golfing, doing yard work, volunteering at Grinnell Regional Medical Center, watching sports games (especially the St. Louis Cardinals), playing card games (Rook being his favorite), and visiting with family and friends. He took joy in debating with his family and often took the opposing side in sports and politics just to be difficult and tease them.
Russell is survived by his son, David James of Newton; two brothers Robert (Pauline) James of Rapid City, SD, and Earl James of Lynnville; sister-in-law Joyce James of Sully; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ramona on June 11, 2016; brother Charles James in 2020; and sister-in-law Linda James in 2021.
Source: Hometown Press (Sully, IA); October 13, 2021