James Russel Harter

James Russel Harter, 88, passed away Sunday, November 02, 2025 at home. Russ was born December 27, 1936 to Russell & Bessie (Bunting) Harter in Middlebourne, WV. He came to Canton, Ohio in 1955 and resided in Canton, Canal Fulton & Coventry Township Ohio. He had worked for Fisher Foods, Sugardale, Police dispatcher in Canal Fulton & Akron University and also worked at Acro Tool & Die.
Russ enjoyed square dancing & calling square dances where he met his second wife Karen Jurgens and married on January 17, 1975. He loved to read books on his Kindle and play games. He also loved traveling with the Coventry AARP group. Russ also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a Third Degree Knight.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Frances Keto/Capone of 11 ½ years and two step-sons Joe & Tom and Russ's son James Lawrence Harter. Russ is survived by his loving wife Karen (Jurgens) Harter of 50 ½ years. He is also survived by his sister Bonnie Criss & nephew Steve Criss, son Francis Darryl (Diana) Harter and his daughter Christine (Brian) Hickok.
Grandchildren James Daniel Harter, Catherine Mae Harter, Patricia Marie Harter, Kimberly Marie (Greg) Hilton, Robert Joseph (Beth) Harter, Alayna (Andrew) Hale, Caiden Hickok, Calie Hickok and Caleb Hickok. Great-grandchildren Easton Russell, step-daughter Olivia Hilton, Darryl Harter, Kam, Kinsley Harter, Boe Harter, Myles Colton Hale, Knox Russel Hale.
The family would like to thank Crossroads Hospice Care for their loving care & kindness towards Russ. He will be cremated and there will be no calling hours or funeral but a private family ceremony will take place at North Lawn Cemetery in the Chapel. There will be plans of maybe doing "A Celebration of Life" at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation