James Franklin Jim Russell, 71, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at his home in Topeka. He was born Sept. 23, 1947, in Ashland, Kentucky, the son of Charles and Myrtle Creech Russell. Jim attended Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia, and graduated with the Class of 1967. Following high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 26, 1967. He proudly served in Vietnam and was awarded a honorable discharge on July 23, 1971. Jim joined the Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing in 1977, working in the Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron until his retirement Oct. 1, 1996 Jim married the love of his life, Janet Longhofer, on July 24, 1971, in Topeka. They were members of the Topeka First Nazarene Church, and performed a Puppet Ministry for Childrens Church for many years throughout the area. Jim worked at the Norfolk Public Schools from 1972 until 1974 as the maintenance technician for the schools Audio-Visual and Printing departments. Jim and Janet moved to Emporia, Kansas, where he took a position with the U.S. Post Office from 1975 until 1977. Jim later worked at the Postal Repair Center from 1998 until his retirement in 2011. Jim will live on in the hearts of his wife, Janet of their home,; daughters, Noel Edwards and her husband Ryan of Overbrook and Aimee Tyrell and her husband Bryan of Topeka; a son, Chris Russell and his wife Monica of Princeton, Texas; a sister Linda Burlew and her husband Larry of Carbondale; a brother, Robert Russell of Ashland, Kentucky; and seven grandchildren, Caleb, Skyler, Cameron, Noah, Bryan Austin, Luke, and Kenadee. Services were held May 13 at the Topeka First Nazarene Church. Burial with military honors was at Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo. Memorial contributions may be made to In Memory," a support organization for veterans who died from the effects of Agent Orange, and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas, 66856. Condolences may be expressed at the following web site https://www.vanarsdalefs.com/obituaries/James-Franklin--Jim-RussellobId=4394387#/celebrationWall