James Richard Fussell passed away surrounded by family and friends on July, 24, 2019. He grew up in Chapman, Alabama and graduated from Georgiana High School in 1952. As class president, he was always an excellent student. He was very active in sports. Football and baseball were his passion. After high school graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and was Stationed in Japan for three years as an air traffic control operator. He said the pilots flying in would always ask for "Reb" because he talked so slow. In Japan, he played football as quarterback and baseball as pitcher. After his service in the Air Force, he started college at Southern Union where sports continued to be a great part of his life. Being chosen to be on the All- American Football Team in 1958, Mr. Fussell was also in the Sportsman Hall of Fame at Southern Union and Livingston University, graduating from Livingston University in 1960. Mr. Fussell became principal at Americus High School in 1971 after being principal in Reidsville and Ocilla, Ga. He loved Americus High School and was there until his retirement in 1986 with grand memories of great teachers and students. He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Jane; three daughters; Pam ( Darien) McDaniel, Cindy (Tim) Chavers, and Leigh (James) Poole; two son, Bruce (Melissa) Fussell and Keycten (Cassie) Smith, seven grandchildren; Kecia Baggs, Richard Smith, Isabelle Fussell, Grace, Ethan, Jeremy and Jonothan Poole; four great grandchildren, Gabriel, Riley, Carmella and Penelope Smith; one great-great granddaughter, Luna Caroline; a cousin and lifetime buddy, Alton Shell; two brothers, Braxton Fussell and Ronnie (Wanda) Fussell and numerous other family members. A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church in Americus, on Saturday, July 27, at 2:00 pm with visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to First Baptist Church, 221 S. Lee St. Americus, Ga., 31709 or a charity of your choice.

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