James was born in the midst of the Great Depression to Mark L. Russell and Edith Chaney Russell in Section, Jackson County, Alabama, the youngest of eight children. James was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Doris McAlpin Russell, his parents, siblings, and his son-in-law, Michael McAllister. He is survived by three children, Susan Dove, Linda McAllister, and Sherri Brown; nine grandchildren, Amy Hajari Case, Adam Hajari, David Hajari and Holly Hajari, Connie Hajjar, Russell McAllister, Katie Hanson, Kathryn Brown, and Wesley Brown; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Life was very different in James’ early life. There was no electricity, automobiles, TVs, etc. on their farm. He was blessed, however, with a loving, caring family who was well respected throughout the county. James attended Section Junior High School and graduated from Jackson County High School in Scottsboro. He attended Jacksonville State College graduating with degrees in Mathematics and Chemistry. James completed course requirements for his MS in Mathematics from the University of Alabama and did post-graduate studies in Nuclear Physics and Engineering.
While attending Jacksonville State, James met and married his beloved wife, Doris Sue McAlpin (1934-2015). They married at the South Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham on June 11, 1955. They returned to Jacksonville State that fall and completed their undergraduate education. James graduated in January 1957 then began his career at Redstone Arsenal.
James was first employed by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency where he participated in the design and development of the Redstone and Jupiter Missile Systems and the Juno I and Juno II launch vehicle systems. James joined the Marshall Space Flight Center/ NASA when it was organized where he participated in the design and development of the Saturn Family of Launch Vehicle Systems, the Apollo Lunar Landing System and the associated systems.
With the Apollo Lunar Mission Program underway, James headed numerous other program studies including the Reusable Nuclear Stage Program (NERVA) which had its objective Manned Planetary Missions to Mars. With the signing of the Nuclear Space Treaty, the NERVA Nuclear Program was documented and suspended. James then participated as a Mission Specialist in defining President Ronald Reagan’s Orbital Communications System which led to the groundwork for modern satellite networks.
James, Doris, and family joined Calvary Bible Church in1978. He served as Elder for many years and was a member of R-Force. James and Doris co-hosted the Fabulous Fifties ministry at Calvary Bible. He was a member of Gideons International and served as president of the Huntsville South Camp.
Throughout their lives together, James and Doris loved to travel. Together they went to all 50 states and many countries across five continents.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Calvary Bible Church, 607 Drake Ave., Huntsville, AL 35802
Memorial donations may be made to the Gideons International, Calvary Bible Church, or the church or charity of your choice.
The world has lost one of the greats. Heaven has welcomed him home.
