| James Allen Russell, 64, of Eau Claire passed away Thursday, September 25, 2008. Jim was born April 17, 1944, in Eau Claire to Vern and Dorothy Russell. He graduated from Chetek High School in 1962 and from UWEC with a bachelors degree in music education and a masters of music. Jim married Joyce V. Swan of Barron in 1964, and they have three children Jeff, Jodi, and Julie. |
His first teaching position was in New Holstein, WI, where he taught choir for three years. He returned to Eau Claire in 1969 to teach vocal music at Central Junior High, then South Middle School, and eventually at Memorial High School in 1983. Jim retired after 33 years of teaching in 1999, and he then worked part-time as a painter for Scheppke Real Estate through August of this year. Jim served faithfully as choir director, music leader, and elder at Calvary Baptist Church of Eau Claire. He loved playing games, spending time with family, spoonerisms, boggle, and bird watching. Jim especially treasured the friendships of people he worked with and relationships with friends and fellow elders at church. He was a man characterized by integrity and a strong faith in Jesus Christ.
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Jim is survived by his wife Joyce, their three children Jeff (Sharon) Russell of Woodbury, MN; Jodi (George) Wood of Eau Claire; Julie (Nathan) Olson of St. Paul, MN; six grandchildren, Nathan and Nicholas Wood; Jonathan, Anna, Zachary, and Grace Russell; brother Clare Russell of Crandon, WI, and sister Barbara (Larry) Bennett of Eau Claire and niece Karen (Paul) Haugland of River Falls, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Dee Russell, and nephew Mark Bennett.
Funeral services for Jim will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2008 at Calvary Baptist Church, 1805 Goff Avenue, Eau Claire, WI. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire immediately following services. Pastor John van Gorkom will officiate. Friends may call at Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI on Sunday, from 3-6 p.m. and again Monday afternoon at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of
services.
Family and friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com.
Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home (715) 832-5002 is assisting the family with arrangements.
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