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James
Ford Russell
3/5/1942 - 7/28/2008
James Ford Russell, 66, of
Manassas, Va., died July 28, 2008 while on a Boy
Scout trip in the Bahamas.
Born March 5, 1942 in Enid, Oklahoma, he was the son
of James Paul and Caryle Marshall Russell. On
February 9, 1971 in Rockville, MD, he married the
former Janie Elizabeth Blome, who survives.
Ford graduated from Enid High School in 1960, and
went on to attend Oklahoma State University where he
graduated with a degree in Economics. He then went
into the Peace Corps, serving in Africa. After
leaving the Peace Corps, he stayed in Europe for a
period of time and traveled with friends. He would
later come back to graduate school in Arizona, and
then enlisted in the Army where he went on to serve
in Germany. After returning from the Army, he went
to graduate school at Oklahoma State University,
receiving a Master’s degree in 1971.
Mr. Russell took a job with the Environmental
Protection Agency, which brought him to Northern
Virginia. After moving to Northern Virginia, he was
enrolled in a PhD program in Economics at American
University. Ford taught economics at Northern
Virginia Community College in Annandale for 34
years. He was a lifelong Methodist and a member of
Manassas St. Thomas United Methodist Church, where
for almost 30 years he has worked extensively with
the youth programs. He has served in many capacities
and on various committees at the church including,
Education, SPRC, Mission, Youth Council and Finance.
Ford has had a clear passion for youth. He has taken
many mission trips, and has been active with the Boy
Scouts for over 30 years, serving as Scoutmaster and
as a committee member. He was also a member of the
Sierra Club, an avid environmentalist, and a
faithful blood donor for the American Red Cross.
Surviving besides his wife of 37 years, are his
mother, Caryle Russell of Enid, OK; one daughter,
Katie Russell and her husband Dan Sullivan of Red
Creek, WV; one son, Adam Russell and his girlfriend
Susan Carney of Washington, DC; one sister, Jarilyn
Baugher and her husband Earl of Tulsa, OK; one
brother, David Russell of Enid, OK; two grandsons,
Holden Young and Harper Russell; one granddaughter,
Orion McClurg; three nieces, Paula and Linda Baugher
of Tulsa, OK; Courtney Baugher of Ponca City, OK;
one nephew, Bruce Baugher of Ponca City, OK; one
grandnephew, Ethan Thomas of Tulsa, OK; and one
grandniece, Lillian Baugher of Ponca City, OK.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, August
7, 2008 from 6-9 p.m. at the Baker-Post Funeral Home
& Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville, Rd. Manassas.
A second visitation will be held on Friday, August
8, 2008, from 5-7 p.m. at Manassas St. Thomas United
Methodist Church, 8899 Sudley Rd. Manassas. A
celebration of Ford’s life will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 8, 2008, in the church sanctuary with
the Rev. Tommy Herndon, Jr. officiating.
Interment will be private and take place at a later
date.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may take
the form of a donation to the Youth Program at
Manassas St. Thomas United Methodist Church, 8899
Sudley Rd. Manassas, Virginia 20110 or to the Boy
Scouts of America, National Capital Area Council,
Attn: Alan F. Lambert, 9190 Rockville Pike,
Bethesda, MD 20814.
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