Jim Dale Russell was born November 27, 1956 in Vinita, Oklahoma to Howard James Russell and Mary Elizabeth (Atkins) Russell Wooten. Jim worked in machine maintenance for Orchid Paper Products in Pryor, Oklahoma for thirty years.

Jim married Darlena (Ray) on December 2, 2005.  She will cherish his memory as a loving husband.  Jim loved helping other people and brought joy to others with his jokester personality. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He liked working on vehicles as well. Most of all, the family will all find comfort in knowing how Jim loved the Lord.

Jim departed this life early Monday, June 13, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 65 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard James Russell and Mary Elizabeth Wooten; brothers, Robert Reed, James Russell and Howard Russell; sisters, Wanda Peters, Pauline Watson, Ruth Boren and Betty Thomas; and nephews, Blake Rowe and Shannon Thomas.

Survivors include his loving wife, Darlena Russell and Kazavion Ray of the home; brothers, George Reed (Barbara) of Pryor, Oklahoma and Darrel Russell (Vera) of Van Buren, Arkansas; sisters Ruby Ball of Dryer, Arkansas and Mary Harrington (Terry) of Adair, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Earnest Maxwell (Ann) of Muskogee, OK; sisters-in-law, Joann Powell, Janice Scott (Michael), LaDonna Wilkes (Charles), Odessa Clark, all of Muskogee, OK and Annie Harris of Omaha, Nebraska; step-daughters, Teanna Barnett (Tyler), his special nurse of Wagoner, Oklahoma, Christal Ray and Alexis Ray, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grand-daughters, Kayda and Jaida Barnett (took care of Jim at home); son, Scottie Russell (Crystal) of Adair, OK; daughter, Tamara Russell of Adair, Oklahoma; sixteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews he loved dearly; other relatives and friends.

A Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 – 7 pm at Mallett Funeral Home in Wagoner.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Jim's life will be at 11 am Friday, June 17, 2022 at The Gate Church, 312 North Jefferson Avenue, Wagoner, Oklahoma. Officiating will be Pastor David Walcott.

Interment will follow in West Adair Cemetery, Adair, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be James McNack Jr., Troy Maxwell, Earnest Maxwell and Allen Maxwell. Flower Girls will be Kayda Barnett, Dolly McNack and Charetta Lenzy.