Fallen Hero: SSG(Ret) James Russell Denton

Sabougla

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Funeral Home

Pryor Funeral Home

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Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on February 18, 2022, and moved on to his heavenly home. SSG(Ret) James Russell Denton, age 60, a retired member of the MS Army National Guard who had served within the 223rd Engineer Battalion; had worked full-time with Co B (Calhoun City); and currently was working at Camp McCain Training Site as their Recycle Manager, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, this country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Obituary, visitation and service details:
Obituary
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by Jess Moore and the Sabougla Volunteer Fire Department
We are saddened to announce the passing of James Russell Denton, 60, (Chief Denton), who passed away at his home in Sabougla on Friday, February 18, 2022. Born January 27, 1962, in Houston, MS, he is the son of Barbara Oglesby Denton and the late Joe Grady Denton. Russell was a 1980 graduate of Calhoun City High School, and was a member of Sabougla Baptist Church. This is not only a tremendous loss for our department, but also the whole community. We ask you to remember his family, friends, church, and department in your prayers. Russell was a pillar of this department, Sabougla Baptist Church, and the community. He was instrumental in founding this department and was one of the charter members. He served as chief for many years and was extremely dedicated to responding to all calls and to the growth and promotion of the department. Prior to the formation of this department, he served on Calhoun City Fire Department with a total of over 30 years of fire service. He had an infectious laugh! You could not hear him laugh without joining in with him. He loved to have a good time. He was a veteran and served 32 years in the National Guard. Of all the things he was, most importantly he was a great friend! If knew of a need, he was going to do his best to help. If you were going through a hard time, he was going to be there for you! If you needed to be called aside and talked to about something, he did that too! A true friend is a gift from God. And Russell was a true friend. And on the subject of God, it should also be said that Russell was a man of God. If the doors were open at Sabougla Baptist Church, he was there. Even after being diagnosed with his illness, he continued to lead a bible study. You see…..his concern was truly for others. He had a servant’s heart! Words really can not adequately describe his love and importance in this community! His passing leaves us all with a void that can not be filled. While we know he has been healed and is in the presence of God, we will still miss him. We are so thankful for the life he has led. Thank you Chief Denton! We will always love and miss you!
Pryor Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Denton family.
A Funeral Service celebrating his life will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at 3:00pm at Pryor Funeral Home. There will also be a visitation on Sunday from 12:00pm until service at the funeral home. Bro. Kenneth Armstrong, Bro. Owen Hitchcock, and Bro. Johnny Hale will be officiating. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Tony Parker, Todd Mallory, Peter Mallory, Earl Sprayberry, Andy Cannon, Daniel Tinnon, Brent Parker, Kent Parker, and Desmond Dorrough.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Sabougla Fire Department, Camp McCain Recycle Center, CSMS, and UTES.
He leaves behind his wife of 11 years, Donna Gail Denton; daughters, Trista (Royce) Tidwell of Bruce,. and Pam (C.J.) Cox of Synica, IL; sons, Jason (Taren) Denton of Gluckstadt, Daniel Denton of Vardaman, Brandon (Brittany) Denton of Bruce, and Sean Lynch of Fayetteville, NC; brother, Doug (Brandy) Denton of Calhoun City; sisters, Debbie Denton (Derril) Watts of Arab, AL, and Cynthia Denton (Jeff) Fowler of Walthall. Russell was also blessed with 12 grandchildren.
Russell wanted to acknowledge his special friend and mentor, R.M. England—“Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man may lay down his life for his friends.”—John 15:13
He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Grady Denton; grandparents, Joel Russell Denton and Nancy Skelton Denton; and Carson Oglesby and Grace Beck.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideons International Bible Program.
Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at pryorfuneralhome.com.