Dr. James A. Russell, Jr., former college President, passed on Monday, March 9, 2015.

He served as Professor of Industrial Technology and Chair of the Division of Professional Studies at West Virginia State University in Institute. Under his leadership the Electronics Engineering Technology program received professional accreditation by ABET. He was appointed Interim President for the years 1986-1987. Following retirement, he served for a year as Interim President of Southern West Virginia Community College in Logan.

Dr. Russell held academic degrees from Oberlin College in Ohio, and Bradley University in Illinois, and was awarded the Doctor of Education degree by the University of Maryland at College Park.

He was born in Lawrenceville, Virginia, the oldest son of Dr. J. Alvin Russell and Nellie P. Russell. He graduated from St. Paul's High School, and upon graduation from college, worked as Assistant Professor at St. Paul's College.

At Hampton University in Virginia he organized the Department of Electronics Engineering Technology, a four year program. This included a cooperative work study component so that students obtained experience working in major industries while in college, and often led to placement in those industries upon graduation. He served as professor of Electronics Engineering Technology and Department head and Dean of Engineering and Technology.

For ten years he served as President of Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, the institution founded by his grandfather, Archdeacon James Solomon Russell, and led for many years by his father, the Rev. Dr. J. Alvin Russell. While there he upgraded the faculty, secured a grant to get the faculty and staff into the TIAA-CREF retirement system and constructed several buildings.

He was a member of St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Charleston, and served on its vestry, and other committees. Formerly at St. James Episcopal church he served on the vestry, and served several terms as Senior Warden. He was for some years chair of the commission To End Racism of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, and also on the Diocesan Council.

Before coming to West Virginia, Dr. Russell was president of the Peninsula council on Human Relations in Hampton/Newport News, Virginia, and was involved in securing equal opportunities for black in public facilities, and in the workplace.

Dr. Russell was a longtime member of Xi Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and served as its Chaplain. He was also a member of Upsilon boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and for many years held the position of Thesauristes (treasurer). He was also chairman of the social Committee.

Besides his educational and community interests, he was an avid reader of books, and a patron of the arts. He had a keen interest in music, and amassed a collection of jazz and classical CDs and other recordings. On occasion he gave lectures on music and recordings. Additionally, he enjoyed foreign travel, and visited Europe, South America and Asia.

For 68 years he was married to Lottye W. Russell, who passed in 2012.

He is survived by his son James Alvin, III and daughter Charlotte Russell Coley; cousins, Morgan R. Deane of Cincinnati, Judith Kaye Cisco of Ashburn, Virginia; niece, Donella Moseley of Richmond, Virginia; two nephews, Henry P Russell, Jr. of Hampton, Virginia, John Sololmon Russell of Petersburg, Virginia; sister-in-law Virginia H. Russell, of Lawrenceville, Virginia.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14 at St. Christopher Episcopal Church, Charleston, with the Rev. Melissa E. Remington officiating. Burial will be at noon, Tuesday, March 17 in St. Paul's Memorial Chapel Cemetery, Lawrenceville, Va.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March, 13 Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 821 Edgewood Dr., Charleston, WV 25302.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.