James Forehand Russell Sr., 71, loving husband, father, grandfather and brother went to be with the Lord on Jan. 15, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was predeceased by his parents Kate F. and William Earl “Luck” Russell and his first wife, S. Julane Russell, and infant son, Christian Earl Russell.

James was president of Supreme Petroleum Inc. and Holiday Ice. He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church and the McLemore Bible Class.

He graduated from Suffolk High School and the University of Richmond with a degree in psychology. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

He previously served on the boards of the Bank of Hampton Roads, Central Fidelity Bank, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, and the Retail Merchants Association.

He was also a member of Jolly Boys, the Lions Club and the Jaycees, and he worked with the United Way.

He was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed time on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Meredith Foster Russell; daughter, Samantha J. Bright and husband Adam of Chesapeake; sons, James F. Russell Jr. and wife Elizabeth of Suffolk, W. Corey Russell and wife Margaret of Suffolk, and Jason S. Russell and wife Kerry of Norfolk; brother, William E. Russell of Suffolk; stepdaughters, Lauren A. Coulter of New York, and Meghan O. Coulter of Atlanta; grandchildren, Alexandria K. Russell, James F. Russell III, William C. Russell Jr., Grace S. Russell, Hayes P. Russell, Lane S. Russell, Presley J. Russell and Russell A. Bright; nephews, William Douglas Russell and wife Pixie, Daryl F. Russell and wife Anne and David E. Russell and wife Debbie; one great niece and five great nephews; and his beloved animals.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., Suffolk, by the Rev. Myrtle F. Hatcher, with burial in Holly Lawn Cemetery.

Family will receive friends in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory in Suffolk from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Memorial donations may be made to the Suffolk Humane Society, P.O. Box 5038, Suffolk VA 23435 or to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030.

Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.