James Homer Russell

James “Jim” Homer Russell, 93, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away peacefully on the night of April 16, 2021, just two days following the passing of his beloved wife, Lahoma, on April 14, 2021. He was born in Kansas City, Kan., on Dec., 28, 1927, to Thomas Christopher Russell and Harriett Azella (Carr) Russell. He was the older of two children.

Jim grew up in Kansas City. He graduated from Culver Military Academy, Culver, Ind., after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in the Army Medical Corps until 1948. Later, he attended the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.; University of Denver, Denver, Colo.; and Western State College of Law, Fullerton, Calif.

He married Lahoma Alice McNeese twice, on May 21, 1951, in Olathe, Kan. (justice of the peace) and June 17, 1951 (church wedding at the insistence of family). Jim learned about Lahoma from his grandmother, Pearl, who spotted Lahoma on stage performing in a church play. With enhanced interest in church, Jim attended and sealed the deal with Lahoma. They had nine children and remained happily married for nearly 70 years.

Jim was a self-employed real estate broker and developer in Kansas (1950–1963); a hotel owner/operator in Texas (1963-1984); and a serial entrepreneur in California (1963–1994). He owned or controlled businesses in the mining, petroleum, motion picture, television, health supplements and cosmetics industries. During their marriage, Jim and Lahoma resided in Kansas City, Kan. (12 years); Orange County, Calif. (47 years); and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (11 years).

Jim enjoyed reading, politics, history, religion, college sports and traveling, all of which he enjoyed sharing with his family and friends throughout his life. He served as president of the Young Republicans, University of Kansas; and football commissioner of Pop Warner Football, Orange County, Calif. He loved his children and took an active interest in their education, sports activities and careers. He had a wonderful sense of humor.

In his early years, Jim was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Later, he founded the Covenant Church of Our Redeemer, which he pastored for 40 years. He was a very principled man of faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, James Lee and grandson, Matthew Kevin Russell. Survivors include his sons Thomas Kevin (Michelle), Mark Christopher, Walter Dallas and Charles Ramsey (Laura); and daughters Alice Eileen (James Kane, deceased), Rita Kathleen (Nicholas Krill), Kelly Christine (Troy Erskine) and Claudia Suzanne (David Pattillo); 21 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one nephew and one niece.

A private service to celebrate the lives of Jim and Lahoma will be held on Friday, May 7, 2021, at Yates Funeral Home — Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Online registry and condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com