Danvers - James W. Russell passed away peacefully after a valiant battle on January 4, 2025 in the care of the Kaplan Family Hospice House.

Jim met his wife Lorraine at Holten High School and dared her to go on a date with him. What followed was a wonderful life they built together, including their first house, and a loving family.

Jim graduated from Boston College (BA), Salem State University (M.Ed.) and Boston University (Ed.D.) and worked as a teacher and principal in Massachusetts. In addition, he served in the Massachusetts National Guard for thirty-eight years; a highlight of his service was his attendance at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. He was a Colonel in the Guard commanding a division artillery, and upon retirement was placed on the State retired list as a Brigadier General.

Dr. Russell enjoyed travel and the retired life with Lorraine, and he reveled in the activities and accomplishments of his children, their spouses, grandchildren, their spouses, and took great joy in his great granddaughters and the promise of this next generation.

He is survived by his loving and supportive wife Lorraine after 64 years of marriage, daughters Sharon Burrill and her husband Jay of Beverly, MA; Gayle Herbert of Beverly, MA; granddaughters Emily Thornell and her husband Sean of Topsfield, MA; Elizabeth Dunn and her husband Emilio of Groveland, MA; grandson Theodore Herbert of Arlington, VA; and great granddaughters Adalyn Thornell and Josephine Thornell; sister Jean Dover and her husband Thomas of Somerville, NJ; sister-in-law Patricia Russell of Londonderry, NH; and brother-in-law Maurice Parent of Orlando, FL His parents Harry and Agnes Russell, and brother Edward Russell predeceased him.

His Funeral Service will be held at 10AM on Monday January 13, 2025 at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. Visitation will be held in the funeral home from 3-5PM on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Donations in his memory may be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Online directions and condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com