Obituary for Jim Russell
Funeral service for Jim Russell, age 87 of Sulphur Springs, Texas will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday,
January 6, 2026, at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home with Rev. C.J. Duffey officiating. Interment will
follow at Restlawn Memorial Park with Josh Russell, Jarrett Russell, Rob Russell, Eddy Olvera, Cody
Pipkin, Zak May, Dustin Miller, and Pete Dropick serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be held from
6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Mr. Russell passed
away on January 1, 2026, at Christus Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs Hospital.
Jim was born on January 17, 1938, in Frankfort, Indiana to Gordon and Nettie (McCoy) Russell. He
married Carolyn McClaine on August 22, 1958, in New Brunswick, Indiana. He graduated from Butler
University with his Bachelor’s in Science Degree in Education. Jim worked as a supervisor for Ford
Motor Company in Indianapolis for 11 years. He then started Jim Russell Real Estate in Lebanon,
Indiana, along with a tax office, and a feeder pig farm, followed by a construction company building
houses. Jim then started teaching and coaching in Lebanon at Pinnell School. In 1976, he moved to
Texas and coached at Sulphur Springs High School until 1985. Once Jim was done coaching, he
started Jim Russell Hay and Sprig Farm. He was a member of the New Brunswick Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sons Robert Russell and wife Arlene, and John Russell and wife
Christie; daughter Debby Brewer and husband Barry; grandchildren Rob Russell, Jennifer Miller and
husband Dustin, Kayla Pipkin and husband Cody, Kelli Olvera and husband Eddy, Karli May and
husband Zak, Josh Russell and wife Tonya, Jarrett Russell and wife Danielle, and Jalynn Dropick and
husband Pete; great grandchildren Katie and Kaden Olvera, Addi, Bo, and Charleigh Pipkin, Maddox
May, Bentley and Lane Russell, Jacob and Mason Miller, Emerson Russell, Preston Dropick, and
Barrett Russell; brothers Tom Russsell and wife Jane, and Fred Russell and wife Cathy; sister-in-law
Nancy Russell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dave Russell.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Jim’s caretaker, Ester Vaughn, Carriage House Manor
staff, Christus Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs Hospital staff, Choice Hospice, and Dr. Arnecke.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation
at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=RmWsCM or P.O. Box 1011, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75483-1011.
Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home
