Russell James, 94, of Grinnell and formerly of Lynnville, died on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at Unity Point Health Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Heart of Worship in Lynnville. Interment with military honors will be at Woodland Cemetery in Lynnville. A luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall at Heart of Worship. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell and his family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Memorials may be designated to Heart of Worship and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Condolences may be shared with his family online at www.smithfh.com. Russell Leroy James was born the eldest child of Elizabeth (Roten) James and Harold James south of Sully, Iowa on their family farm on June 3, 1927. Russell was educated at Black Oak Country School and Lynnville High School. He lived and worked on the family farm until September 9, 1953, when he was enlisted into the US Army. He served in the military for two years. Russell was united in marriage to Ramona Davis on December 27, 1953, in Knoxville, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with a son, David, on June 29, 1956. Following his discharge from the service on December 9, 1955, he purchased the sundries store in Lynnville and operated the store until 1962. After selling the store, he took a position as manager of Tice Feed and Grain in Lynnville for 22 years and then took a position at Rhinehart Seed and Feed as an outside salesman. Russell retired in 1990. The family moved from Lynnville to Grinnell in 1963. Russell and Ramona were longtime members of Lynnville Heart of Worship. Russell's enjoyments were golfing, doing yard work, volunteering at Grinnell Regional Medical Center, watching sports games (especially the St. Louis Cardinals), playing card games (Rook being his favorite), and visiting with family and friends. He took joy in debating with his family and often took the opposing side in sports and politics just to be difficult and tease them. Russell is survived by his son, David James of Newton; two brothers, Robert (Pauline) James of Rapid City, South Dakota, Earl James of Lynnville, sister-in-law, Joyce James of Sully; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ramona on June 11, 2016; brother, Charles James in 2020; and sister-in-law, Linda James in 2021.