James M Russ

James Matthias Russ was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on September 20, 1929. He died on November 25, 2021. He spent his entire childhood in Duluth. He attended Roman Catholic schools from elementary through university and graduated from Georgetown University with a law degree. Jim was a Naval aviator and trained in Pensacola, where he met his wife, Nanelle Davis, who predeceased him in 2018. They married in 1953 and moved to Orlando in 1957 where they raised their large family and Jim practiced law. Jim was a wellknown criminal defense and trial lawyer and member of the Florida Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association. He was listed in the Who’s Who of American Trial Lawyers and a recipient of the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Award. Jim was devoted to his family, his faith and the practice of law.

He is survived by 8 children: Tanya Russ (John Spang), Robin Russ, Sarah Russ, Claudia Russ Anderson (Bill Anderson), Janine Russ (Clair Epting), Monica Russ (Chris Biow), Matt Russ (Suzette Russ) and Kateri Snow (Frank Snow), eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Annunciation Catholic Church, Altamonte Springs, on December 4, 2021 at 10:00 am with a luncheon reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Annunciation Catholic Church, Vitas Hospice, or a charity of the donor’s choice. The family is especially grateful to the staff of Serenades Memory Care and Vitas Hospice for

their devotion to, and care of, Jim.