James I. Russell

James Isaac Russell (Ike) born July 28, 1941 in Tennille, Alabama passed away peacefully on July 15, 2020 in Houston, Texas. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Peggy Doughman Russell of Houston, Texas; parents, Carson M. “Skeet” Russell and Merle Tompkins Russell of Conroe, Texas; and brother, Mike Russell of Waco, Texas.

Ike grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from John McDonogh High School in 1960, after which he attended LSU-New Orleans. Ike was proud of his service to his country, serving for four years in the United States Air Force. While stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, he met and married the love of his life Peggy Doughman. He was then transferred to Thule Air Force Base in Greenland, where he was a meteorologist. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Ike completed his education at LSU in Baton Rouge. He and Peggy then moved to Houston where they raised their sons, and he worked as a real estate agent and home builder. After Peggy’s passing, Ike married Joan Hubbard of Houston. Together, he and Joan enjoyed several years of sailing the Bahama Islands and the U.S. East Coast.

Ike had a lifelong passion for sports, both as a participant and as a fan. As a youth, he loved swimming, judo, and playing on his high school sports teams. He was an avid LSU fan, but by far his greatest joy was coaching and watching his three sons on their numerous sports teams.

Surviving Ike are his sons Lance Russell (wife, Andrea and son, Nicholas) of Houston; Lyle Russell (wife, Lisa and children, Paul and Charlotte) of Dallas; Lee Russell (wife, Kelly) of Houston and sister, Kim Russell Heathcote (husband, Mark) of Spring.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday July 24, 2020 in the Chapel of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77077. Interment immediately following services at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

For those wishing to make a memorial contribution in his name, the family suggests the Alzheimer’s Association and The American Cancer Society.