Russell was born in St. Louis and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he owned BJ's Bar and Restaurant in Florissant in St. Louis County.
On June 11, 1955, he wed the former Delphie Mann in Pine Lawn, also in St. Louis County.
There are two surviving children, including James Russell Jr.
[1][2] Russell died on February 24, 2016, having been diagnosed with skin cancer six months prior.