James Anthony Russell

James was born on July 1, 1939 in Los Angeles, California to Charles and Antoinette Russell. He attended Catholic School in Sausalito and Fontana California Through the 8th Grade. He attended Newman High School where he graduated and went on to attend San Bernardino Valley College. James went on to grate with honors and obtain his AA Degree in Chemistry. After completing college, he became a member of the California Pipe Fitters Union.

James worked for Aqua Serve in San Bernardino as a chemist, where he tested samples for water treatment. He then went to work for Pacific Architects and Engineers in Vietnam. There he was tasked to work on ships as an electrical engineer. He moved to Arizona and worked for Climate Control (a/c, heating, electrical); moved to Maryland, started own heating/air conditioning and electrical company Temp Specialties servicing residential and commercial air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical. In 1979 decided to move to Maryland and went to work for an A/C and Heating Company out of Salisbury Maryland. Shortly thereafter, he decided to open once again his own HVAC Company named Delta. He serviced commercial businesses and residential in Ocean City Maryland. Aside from HVAC, he also remodeled condominiums that suffered from flooding and hurricane. Once he turned 51 years old, he decided to join the Military Sealift Command which was operated by the U.S. Navy. He started out as a Chief Electrician. Upon retirement he earned the level of Chief Engineer. Served 25 years with MSC, retired at 76 years old when he had to have hip replacement. He would have continued working, because loved to work.

Through James’s many years of hard work and dedication he went on receiving many Certificates, awards and Accolades, such as the following:

National Association of Power Engineers – October 6, 1966

Refrigeration Service Engineers Society Diploma – June 1, 1967

Alpha Gamma Sigma Fraternity – June 14, 1968

San Bernardino Valley College AA Degree – June 14, 1968

YORK Division Borg-Warner Corporation, Air Conditioning Controls & Security Program – February 26, 1976

Payne Air Conditioning Heat Pump Installation and Service Training Program – Phoenix, AZ February 8, 1977

USNS Outstanding Leadership and Professionalism Award – September 11, 2006

USNS Patuxent Recognition Award for Leadership and Professionalism Service – April thru June 2008

USNS 5th Fleet Award for Professionalism and Motivator and Commitment – December 2012 thru February 2013

NAVSEA Certificate of Training Gas Turbine Engine – June 16, 2000

After coming to Phoenix James met a woman named Donna whom would becoming the love of his Life. They married August 20, 1976.

James had many wonderful Hobbies and interests, he traveled the world with MSC. He loved boats, motorcycles, fishing, golf, tennis, swimming, shooting pool, drinking scotch, republicans, poker and horse racing. “Russ” as he was known, ran the family like a well-run ship. He’d always say, “Give me three hours this Saturday morning and the rest of the day is yours”. We all respected his work ethic and dedication to family. He often took the kids to play tennis, swimming and lunch. After moving to Maryland, with Donna by his side, they remodeled two houses and several condominiums. Russ could repair anything electrical, plumbing, appliances, air conditioning and heat….but could never cut a straight line!

James is predeceased by his loving parents, Charles Francis Russell and Antoinette Agnes Russell; Brother, Terry Russell; Sister Arlene Russell; and Daughter Theresa Herrmann.

James is survived by his wife Donna Russell; three bothers, Charles Dennis and Tom Russell; two sisters, Mildred and Colleen; four Children, Mary (Ed) Slabinski, Kathleen (Bob) Cody, Sheri Murphy and Don (Vicky) Marks; twenty grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

James for be forever Loved and Always Missed.