Reno, NV –   James (Jim) A. Russell, 90, passed away March 8, 2022 in Reno, Nevada.
He was born and raised in Thief River Falls, a farming community in northern Minnesota, to lrvin and Amanda Russell, joining an older brother, Donald. He started his education in a one-room school house. He was active in the community, participating in football, gymnastics, and 4-H. He was the first in his family to attend the University of Minnesota. He received an HSPA (Hawaii Sugar Planters Association) scholarship. Soon he was sailing across the Pacific Ocean on the Lurline, playing ping-pong with Duke Kahanamoku, fabled Olympian and surfer. Jim graduated from the University of Hawaii in Tropical Agriculture. After enlisting for two years in the Army, he returned to Minnesota to marry the love of his life, Marjorie.
Jim and Marge lived on sugar plantations on the islands of Oahu and Kauai where he held various managerial positions. He rose to the position of Vice President and General Manager of Waialua Sugar Plantation until it closed. He then worked for the Estate of James Campbell transitioning former sugar plantation lands to small farmers. Things Jim loved: music (singing, playing ukulele and harmonica), animals, Vikings football, playing volleyball, the UH Rainbow Wahine (women’s) volleyball games, a rousing game of cribbage (especially if he won), and telling a good story infused with his sly humor.
Jim was honest and fair, a true gentleman. He was a great host and was genuinely interested in people, going out of his way to help them. He organized annual volleyball tournaments between plantations which was great fun. Jim and Marge travelled the world and had a very full life.
Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marge; along with his daughters, Mary Claire, Karin (Peter) Russell-Lance, and Jennifer (Frank) Streshley; as well as five grandchildren, among them being Nicholas Tranchida of Colorado, Jenna Streshley, and Jared Streshley of Reno.
A special thanks to his caregivers for their love and support of Jim.
A celebration of life will be held in Reno at a later date. Interment will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu.
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