of West Memphis, AR

October 26, 1932 - July 17, 2015

James Russell Clinton, III died on July 17, 2015 at the age of 82. He was born on October 26, 1932 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to James Russell Clinton, Jr. and Virginia Leigh Mai Dooley Clinton.

Russell graduated from Tunica High School in 1950. He attended the University of Mississippi and received his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1954. Upon graduation from Ole Miss, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served with distinction. Russell continued to serve in the United States Air Force Reserves until completing his service with the rank of Captain.

He was a retired Certified Public Accountant who enjoyed serving his clients with a career spanning five decades and licenses and service in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Russell was active throughout his life in professional, civic, and religious organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Society of CPA's, was the first President of the Delta Chapter of the Arkansas Society of CPA's, and served multiple terms on the Tax Committee of the Arkansas Society of CPA's. He was a former member of the Memphis Estate Planning Council. Russell served on the Board of Directors for the Boys Club, as well as the Board of Directors of the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He served on the Vestry of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in West Memphis, as well as on the School Board of the Holy Cross Episcopal Day School. For many years, he was active as a Rotarian. Russell recently completed his second term as the Chairman of the Congregation at First Evangelical Church in Memphis. He was actively serving as the Crittenden County Camp Chaplain with Gideons International at the time of his death.

Russell's faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ became the primary focus in his life after coming to faith in Christ. His faith permeated all aspects of his life and greatly impacted his family, friends, and those with whom he came into contact. He grew up on the family farm in Austin, Mississippi and was an active outdoorsman and golfer. He passed on the love of the Lord, family, the outdoors, golf, and other things to his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife of fifty one years, Nancy Jo Williams Clinton, and by his three children: Nancy Elizabeth Clinton of Germantown, Tennessee; James Russell Clinton, IV (Shannon) of Germantown, Tennessee; and Stephen Williams Clinton (Anne) of Franklin, Tennessee. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Mary Nielson, Lindley Elizabeth, Cecelia Lee and Sarah Grace Clinton of Germantown, Tennessee; Joseph Alexander, Anne Holland, and Andrew Lee Clinton of Franklin, Tennessee.

Friends may visit at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis, Arkansas on Sunday, July 19, 2015, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2015 at 1:30 P.M. at First Evangelical Church in Memphis, Tennessee. A visitation will begin at the church at 12:00 P.M. prior to the funeral. Interment will follow at Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion, Arkansas.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Joseph Alexander Clinton, Andrew Lee Clinton, Lancelot L. Minor III, Murry Garrott McClintock, A. Stephen McDaniel, Gregory Neil Foust, and John Antonetti.

Memorials may be made to First Evangelical Church or to Gideons International.

Sign Guestbook

11 Condolence(s)