HEBRON - Dr. James Albert Russell died at home with his wife and daughter at his side on Saturday, March 24, 2018. "Jim" was born on April 27, 1924 in Groesbeck, Texas, and was the son of the late Elmer O. Russell and Ether Mae Williams Russell and the eldest of ten children.
Called "Albert" by his family in Texas, he was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran having served in both the Korean War and World War II. He received a bachelor's degree From Texas A & M and at the age of 88, he earned a Masters in Theology with a Doctorate in Divinity. He worked for the Computer Science Center at NASA Wallops Island, Va. as a Senior Mechanical Engineer for the Facilities Engineering Department, retiring in 1994.
"Albert" was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Shore Architectural & Engineering Association and the Community Players of Salisbury. He was a former member of the Church of Christ in Mexia, Texas where he was baptized, and the Milford Mill E.U.B. Church in Baltimore. He was an avid and dedicated Bible student and Sunday School teacher. He occasionally would conduct worship services in nursing homes and also substitute preaching.
James is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Virginia Kent Russell; a daughter, J. Kara Russell; two step children, Dr. Kathryn L. Diefenbach of Halifax, Nova Scotia and A. Karl Diefenbach & his wife, Patty of Morgantown, W.Va.; two sisters, Maxine McMahon of Mexia, Texas, and Ruby Randall of Chandler, Texas; two granddaughters and four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 30, 2018, 2 p.m. at the Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. Dr. Benita Harris will be officiating. In Texas, a graveside service will be held at the Point Enterprise Cemetery on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 2 p.m. with the Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home conducting services.
Local arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.