James Dunn Russell

James Dunn Russell died Saturday, December 21, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.

James was a Rio Grande Valley native, born on May 22, 1938, to Martha and Frank Russell of San Benito. He grew up going to school in the lower Rio Grande Valley but graduated from high school at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin. He graduated college from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA where he earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Geology and Geophysics.

While attending MIT, James met his future wife, Sarah Memory Tracy (Sally) from Concord, New Hampshire, who was attending Wellesley. In 1960, after they both graduated, James and Sally married in Concord and returned to the Valley where they resided and built a life for sixty-two years.

James ran the family farm supported by his wife Sally and his son Frank. He was involved in several Valley banks as well as a title company. He had 35 years of perfect attendance at Rotary Club. James was also a benefactor of the Gladys Porter Zoo. He devoted time as president of the board and many years as a board member along with his wife Sally, his mother Martha, and his son Frank.

James was socially active with his wife in many groups in Harlingen, San Benito, Los Fresnos, and Brownsville. He played bridge in several bridge groups, and he always enjoyed a good martini, margarita, and more recently a Paloma with his friends, promptly at 5:00.

James was an avid tennis player. He enjoyed mentoring (and beating) young tennis players, many half his age. He was proud to be involved in the creation of the Harlingen HEB Tennis Center.

James is survived by his four children, James Russell Jr. (Margo), Mark Russell (Denise), Frank Russell (Sandra), and Tracy Russell Thompson (Sean); his six grandchildren, Hilary, William (Amy), Abigail, Sarah (Bryan), Elizabeth, and Jackson; and one great-grandchild, Roen. He is also survived by his sister, Martha Jane Russell Blanton (Taylor). He was preceded in death by his wife Sally and his three half brothers, Frank, Charlie, and Bobby Russell.

The family wishes to thank his longtime housekeeper, Delia Moreno, and outstanding caregivers, Mary Ramirez and Rolena Ratliff, who were all devoted to James and Sally and gave them and the family many years of friendship and loving care.

Those wishing to make a donation in James’ memory may do so to the Gladys Porter Zoo (www.gpz.org) 500 E. Ringgold St., Brownsville, 78520. 

A celebration of James’ life and legacy will take place at his childhood home, Casa Los Ebanos, on March 8, beginning promptly at 5:00 p.m.