James (“Russ”) King

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of James (“Russ”) King, 68, of 621 Scott St., Fort Frances, Ont., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Man.
Russ was born Oct. 4, 1937 in Port Arthur, Ont. to the late Lawrence and Cora King. He graduated from Port Arthur Technical Institute in Thunder Bay.
Early in his life, Russ started working in retail sales with large hardware companies such as Cochrane Dunlop. During that time, he was united in marriage to Bev Swanson, and raised four children prior to parting with Bev.
Russ came to Fort Frances in the late 1970s and started “Sporting Spirit,” a sporting goods store. On Aug. 26, 1989, he married Diana Barr and they had one son.
Russ later started Sooters Photo while at the same time co-owning Standard Insurance. He also started in partnership to operate Leisure Time Spas and Billiards for a couple of years before semi-retiring.
Following the retail industry, Russ decided to drive tourists to local tourist camps while at the same time working casually for Weechi-it-te-win Family Services.
Russ was a member of Knox United Church in Fort Frances. He really loved vintage and classic cars and trucks, and also enjoyed working with any type of electronic gadgets.
Russ will be missed dearly by his family and friends alike.
He was predeceased by one sister, June Pomber; one brother-in-law, Joe Pomber; and one nephew Laurie Pomber.
Russ is survived by his wife, Diana King of Fort Frances, Ont.; five children, Russ King Jr. of Thunder Bay, Ont., Mike King (Sharon) of Prince George, B.C., Lynda (Dean) Salerno and Kathy King, all of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Ben King of Fort Frances, Ont.; and four grandchildren, Sean and Katy King and Amanda and Devin Salerno.
He also is survived by one sister, Lorraine (Bunny) and husband, Cliff (Newell) Hoffman, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and six nephews, Bill Pomber, Ken Hoffman, Bob Hoffman, Jim Hoffman, Nick Kellar, and Jared Kellar.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 at 1 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Pastor Brian Keffer will officiate, with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Family and friends may visit Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers will be Laurie Walsh, Dean Salerno, Ron Kellar, Jim Hoffman, Bob Hoffman, Alex Kereliuk, and Bill Pomber.
Honourary pallbearers will be all of his friends and family.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 920 Frenette Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N4 or the A.L.S. Society of Canada, 265 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 300, Toronto, Ont., M2J 1S5, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.