Dr. James "Russell" Lindsey, Sr. of Birmingham, Alabama, formerly of Tifton, went to be with his Lord on July 30, 2014. A graveside service for family and friends will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, 2014, at Oak Ridge Cemetery with burial to follow.
Dr. Lindsey was born on December 6, 1933 in Tift County to Eulen Russell and Eula Jones Lindsey. At the University of Georgia, he met his wife-to-be, Elizabeth Ann Fort. They were married and subsequently blessed with four children: James (Tammy) Lindsey, Jr., Leigh Ann (Andrew) Blaine, Stephen (Kristin) Lindsey, and Amy (Albert) Anderson. His grandchildren are, Kristopher, Zack, Jessica, Mollie, Benjamin, and John Michael Lindsey; Ellen and Sarah Blaine; Taylor, Sterling, and Brooke Lindsey; and Russell Anderson, all who survive him.
Dr. Lindsey earned a BS in Agriculture in 1953 and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1957) degrees at the University of Georgia and the MS in Veterinary Pathology (1961) at Auburn University. He subsequently trained in pathology of human patients in the Department of Pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland (training equivalent to the PhD). He then served for five years on the Johns Hopkins faculty as Assistant Professor, concentrating on laboratory methods for improving the health of research animals. In 1967, he joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) as Professor and Chair of the Department of Comparative Medicine in the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, where he served for 34 years.
Dr. Lindsey was a pioneer in improving the health and humane use of laboratory animals as research models for understanding human diseases. He authored or co-authored more than 140 scientific papers and book chapters in his field. He received many honors for his contributions: 2003 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer at UAB (the highest honor given by the UAB Medical Center); Distinguished Alumnus of the Year 2005 at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine; and the Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni Award for 2010 by the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Despite his intellectual prowess, academic achievement and successful career, he never abandoned his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was convinced the intricacy of science, the splendor of creation, and harmony in the universe revealed exquisite design by the Creator. His life humbly reflected this belief. Many have been blessed, as he tirelessly served his Lord and Maker. He will be missed by all.