James Russell Obituary
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 20, 2024
Location: Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church
James W. Russell, 86 years old, of Newport News, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, April 7, 2024 surrounded by many family members. His caretaker for two years was his loving and caring granddaughter, Tiffany Brant.
James Russell was born to James and Virginia Russell in Buffalo, NY, the oldest of 3 brothers whom are Brian (Carolyn), Bob (Sandie) and Gary (Claire). After graduating from High School Number 33, he studied Engineering at Buffalo University where he received his degree. Later he achieved his master's degree at Arizona State.
During this time, he met and fell in love with Patricia Diane Hershey from York, PA. They were married in 1959 and had two children. They celebrated their 50th anniversary before Pat passed away in March 2012.
His first job was an Aeronautical Engineer with Lockheed in Seattle for two years before being transferred to Los Angeles in 1963. He worked in the San Fernando Valley for 7 years. His job then took him to Newport News in 1970 where he worked for LTV which is a subsidiary of NASA for over 40 years.
James and Patricia have two children, Jim and Kimberly. James was a wonderful and devoted father and husband. He always taught us life lessons and supported us all throughout the many accomplishments of our lives. When James wasn't working at LTV, he could be found jogging, playing tennis and coaching in his kids' sports.
James was predeceased by his wife, Patricia; his mother, Virginia; his father, James and his brother, Brian. He is survived by his brothers, Bob and Gary Russell of New York, his children, Jim and Kimberly and their spouses, Marilyn and Greg, 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 3 great- great-grandchildren.
The family requests that donations be lovingly made to Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church, Newport News of which James Russell was a member. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at WMUMC. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Mary Ann Moore
May 25, 2024
Jim was such a special person. His wife Pat was my first cousin, but Jim was as much a part of the Hershey clan as she was. He came to our small Hershey reunion in York, PA in 2017 and knew his memory was failing. But his primary thoughts were for planning ahead to take care of his family. He will be dearly missed.
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Karen Hornstein
April 20, 2024
Jim was the nicest man I have ever met. He was kind. He always had a smile on his face. Always glad to see me. Never spoke an unkind word about anyone. It was not possible for him to do that. He always had that funny laugh. He loved his family. Most of all his granddaughter who lived with him. I will miss seeing his smiling face and hearing his laugh
Coke Henderson
April 16, 2024
So sorry to hear about James. He loved coming up to the Wellness Center to play tennis bringing Tiffany in teaching her the lifelong sport. He played and organized one of the men´s doubles league in which he would play in as long as he could walk he played. I´ve miss seeing both of them and I wish the family my condolences. Coke Henderson
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