Obituary

James Russell Sobers was born on December 1, 1934, in Bronx, New York, the second of three children born to the late Stephen A. Sobers, Sr. and Hope Farnum Sobers. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Stephen A. Sobers, Jr.

Jim grew up in Harlem and the Bronx, graduated from Morris High School, and played clarinet in the school band. His love of music, especially jazz, stayed with him throughout his life.  After high school, at just 17-years-old, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army where he trained as an Army Ranger and was deployed to the Korean Conflict. That experience changed his life, setting him on a lifelong path of service to others.

In 1957, Jim married Aurelia Henry, and together they had two children, Rhonda and Russell.  He was a caring and devoted father and after he and Aurelia divorced, Jim was deeply committed to being an important presence in Rhonda and Russell’s life and spent every Sunday – rain or shine…or snow – making memories and introducing them to new activities. From swimming to horseback riding to long days at the beach.

Jim was also committed to helping young people and improving his community. In the 1960s and 1970s, he helped develop after-school community centers, provided court representation for minor offenses, and built coalitions to create educational and employment opportunities and promote fair housing for those in need. He earned a bachelor’s degree from C.W. Post College of Long Island University and completed additional coursework in law, public policy, administrative management, and Equal Employment Opportunity law. During this time, he also helped raise funds for the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation through his relationships with Sammy Davis Jr. and Count Basie.

In 1971, Jim met the love of his life, his forever partner, his “Lady”, Laura Bondon. They were married in 1974 and went on to have three children: James Russell II, Laura Alyce, and Stephen George. They built their life together in Maryland, raising their children and developing deep friendships. While in Maryland, Jim’s passion for helping others compelled him to re-enlist in the military as a trainer. He believed many young soldiers were being deployed without adequate preparation and was determined to change that. Over the years, many of those he trained thanked him for helping them return home safely.

Jim’s accolades are many, but to him, his greatest accomplishment was his family. If something was important to his children, then it was important to him. He was regularly on the sidelines, in the bleachers and at the concerts. He delivered home cooked food to dorm rooms and apartments, encouraged new business ventures and provided a pep talk during disappointments. He loved his family fiercely and up until his passing, he would regularly call each of his children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins and friends just to check in.

Jim and Laura moved to Deltona, Florida in 2005, where they began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. The truths they learned resonated in their hearts and their love for Jehovah God grew deep. They were baptized together in January 2009 at the Daytona Beach Circuit Assembly.  Jim loved Jehovah deeply and read the Bible daily. He zealously shared Bible truths and encouragement with his family and neighbors. As his health declined, his zeal increased as he
shared about God’s Kingdom with doctors, nurses, family and friends. A scripture he often shared was Psalm 37:29: “The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.” He believed this promise with all his heart and shared it with confidence.

Jim loved life. He loved to have fun. He loved to laugh. He was a jokester and a storyteller and enjoyed sharing his stories and making others laugh.

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In addition to being an avid Jazz lover, Jim was a tinkerer. He was resourceful and could build or fix anything. If he could imagine it – he could build it and he was never too busy to share his wisdom and knowledge with others.

James Russell Sobers is survived by his wife, Laura; his sister, Frances C. Sobers; his children Rhonda L. James (Michael), Russell J. Sobers (Vernell), James R. Sobers II (Elizabeth), Laura A. D’Abbondanza (Anthony), and Stephen G. Sobers; 15 grandchildren: Stacey, Carlton, Iries (deceased), Taimak, Russell Jr, Michael II, Brandon, Rachael, Mitchel, Tristan, Braydon, Joelle, Osmond, Xaka, Tyson; and four great-grandchildren: Malachi, Zion, Alaya, Carter.  He is also survived by his nephews Michael Sobers (Elaine), Stephen Sobers III, Joshua Sobers, and Salim Sobers (Grace); his nieces Sheryl Sobers and Maia (Jabari) Sadler; and a host of family and friends who will miss him dearly.
Jim enjoyed 91 years of life and would always say, “The first hundred years is the hardest.” We look forward to welcoming him back so he can enjoy the easy years ahead.