James D. Russell

Dr. James D. Russell, 71, went quietly back to Heavenly Father on Friday, October 19, 2012. He passed away in Lakeside, Arizona. He was born in Tennessee to Edmund and Lillie Belle (Sullivan) Russell. He grew up in Missouri, went to college and worked in New Mexico, and lived the last fifteen years of his retirement in Snowflake. He married Sheila Burgess in 1968 in Las Vegas, NM. Jim graduated first in his class from Brentwood High School in Brentwood, Missouri, earned a BA and MA from New Mexico Highlands and a PhD in history from the University of New Mexico. He was named a New Mexico Eminent Scholar in 1989. He taught history and political science at New Mexico Highlands University for 27 years. During that time he also worked in sports information and was a statistician for the UNM Lobos. Jim was an avid sports fan and a life-long follower of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He met many other fans as he proudly wore the cap! He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served many years as a ward and stake clerk. Jim was an exemplary husband, loving father, and adoring grandfather. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Sheila; his son Marc (Debora Bushee); his son Brian (Tricia Dillman); four grandchildren; Sicely, Dakota, Landen and Morgan; his sister Shirley (James Drake); and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. Graveside service will be held on October 24, 2012 at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, Arizona. Arrangements handled by Owens-Livingston Mortuary Snowflake.