Russell James age 98, was born January 15th, 1922 in Blaine Township, Clay County, KS, the eldest of 12 children born to Dean and Eva (Chestnut) James.
Russell learned the value of hard work when his father suffered a ruptured appendix and was laid up for a year. Russell completed the 8th grade but didn’t go on to high school as he was needed at home to work on the family farm. While he did not have much formal education, he had vast mechanical knowledge which served him well throughout his life. If he wasn’t doing field work or farm chores, he would be found in the shop doing maintenance on his equipment.
Russell professed faith in Christ while in his teens and joined the Hebron Reformed Presbyterian Church. Over the course of his lifetime, he faithfully served the church as both a deacon and an elder. His faith in Christ was a very important part of his life. He read his Bible faithfully, and always strived to live a life honoring to Christ.
Russell enlisted in the US Army in October 1942 during World War II and served in the 132nd Infantry Regiment, achieving the rank of Tech-5. He was originally slated to work in vehicle maintenance, but an interesting encounter during training changed his path. Russell was training at Monterey, CA when a whale was badly injured by a boat. Rather than let the whale go to waste, the local fishermen wanted it brought to shore. A bulldozer was available, but the operator was not. Armed with his knowledge of farm machinery, Russell manned the bulldozer and drug the whale carcass onto the beach. The Army took notice of his skills and made him a combat engineer, “machine operator,” instead.
Russell arrived in the Pacific Theater in January 1944 and participated in several important campaigns and battles, including the amphibious invasion of Cebu Island during the Luzon Campaign. After 23 months of overseas combat duty, the war ended, and he returned to civilian life in Kansas and on December 26, 1945 married Betty Dunn of Five Creeks Township and began farming. Russell farmed and raised cattle until his retirement in 1980. In addition to farming Russell also was a Blaine Township trustee and could always be depended on to maintain or plow open the roads when needed. He also served on the Hebron school board for a number of years. Before retiring from farming, Betty had convinced Russell to take a course in sewing machine cleaning and repair, and thus began another chapter in his life.
In 1986 Russell and Betty moved from their home on the farm to Clay Center. Russell continued serving the community with his mechanical skills by opening a sewing machine and sweeper repair shop in the basement of their home. After Betty’s death in 2004, Russell sold his sewing machine and vacuum repair business and moved into Park Plaza, where he continued to tinker with everything possible and be a servant to many.
Russell moved into the Presbyterian Manor in 2011, and his presence was much appreciated as he used his talents to do minor repairs around the facility and helped meet the needs of other residents. Late in life, he could be spotted riding his souped-up scooter downtown. The Presbyterian Manor was known to receive calls from well-intentioned folks who thought he was an escapee, but Russell’s sharp mind allowed him the freedom to enjoy his scooter well past his 95th birthday.
John Russell James passed into the presence of our Lord on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the Presbyterian Manor in Clay Center, KS. He was 98 years, 349 days old. Those who knew him admired him for his quiet manner, his physical stamina, and his deep faith in Christ.
Russell is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, his parents, brothers, Ralph, Milo and infant brother, Paul James and sisters, Genevieve and Bertha. Although Russell’s earthly body will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Russell himself is currently enjoying his eternal life in Heaven with his wife and feasting with the Lamb of God where he is doubtless eating as much or as little as he wants with no one telling him, “You’re too thin.
Survivors:
Son: Ed and Janice James Olathe, KS
Daughter: Marilyn and husband Stanley Copeland of Quinter, KS
Daughter: Linda and husband Dick Heitman of Canon City, CO
Brothers: Leo, Wayne and Arlo
Sisters: Vesta, Velda, and Alta
9 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren 1 Great-Great Grandson
Many Nephews and Nieces
Visitation: 2:00-5:00 PM Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS
Funeral Services: Private family services will be held at 1:30 PM, Monday, January 4, 2021 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center, KS
Minister: Rev. Daniel Hemken
Memorials: Hebron Reformed Presbyterian Church or the Clay Center Presbyterian Manor c/o the funeral home