James "Jimmy" Lewis Russell, 81, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces.

Visitation will take place Friday, September 27, 2024 at Baca's Funeral Chapel at 10 o'clock in the morning with interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

James was born to Charlotte "Lottie" Elizabeth Clarke and Lewis "Rip" Russell on October 2, 1942 in Deming. He was born the 3rd child of Rip & Lottie Russell. Jimmy grew up on a farm with his parents and three sisters. When he wasn't making one of his sisters cry, he was out in the fields with his dad. Jimmy loved farming but during high school, he lived for sports, especially football.

Jimmy first married Lona Hutchins. Together, they had two children, Sheila Renee and James Wade. They later divorced. In 1972, Jimmy married Adrienne. The couple had one child together, James "Deed" Lewis Russell Jr. Adrienne already had a crew of her own including Mike Burns, Holly Mathis, Theresa Ann Burns Johnson and Linda Burns Rawson. I

n 1990, they established Willow Manor Assisting Living which led to their retirement in 1997. Jimmy had also owned and operated Economy TV, VCR and Locksmith Service, Deming Skating Rink and Russell Trucking during his lifetime. When asked of his thoughts on heaven, he would say he imagined it to be like Arkansas, where the family had moved for a while. He envisioned his mama grilling the first catch of the day. His mom did not like fish and did not like grilling, and if you knew Jimmy, you know how much he liked to tease! Jimmy enjoyed four wheeling, going to the lake and fishing, country music, relaxing at the kitchen table, laughing and joking, going to Laughlin, Las Vegas and any casino in between, but most of all, he enjoyed his family.

Jimmy is survived by his children James "Deed" Russell Jr. of Deming, daughter Sheila (Perry) Lee of Twin Falls, Idaho, Holly Mathis of Las Cruces, Mike Burns of Deming, and Linda Burns Rawson of Deming; 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Frances Russell, a very special granddaughter Sarah Burns; an aunt Frances "Fran" Russell, daughter-in-law Cecilia Strickland and a very dear friend Angie Smith Blowers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Adrienne Russell, children; James Wade Russell Strickland and Theresa Burns Johnson, sisters; Kay Hull and Polly Gunter; great-grandson James Richard Russell.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Deed Russell, Richard Casillas, Benny Mathis, Joe Piñon, Rusty Gunter and Wesley Peterson.

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