James Rushton

James Rushton, “Jimmy,” a lifelong resident of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, ten days prior to his 95th birthday.

Born on May 23rd, 1931, to William James Rushton and Elizabeth Perry Rushton, Jimmy attended Mountain Brook Elementary School and B. U. S., graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, studied at Princeton University, and in 1957 graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Architecture from Auburn University. Jimmy worked as an architect with Charles H. McCauley Associates up through the mid 1970s—he designed the house on Old Leeds Circle his brother Billy, Billy’s wife LaVona, and their three sons (his three nephews) Rusty, Deak, and Tunstall lived in for two decades—and then moved to Philadelphia to study urban design and development at the University of Pennsylvania. Contemplating examples of architectural and urban-landscape design that made parts of downtown Philadelphia more livable for more people, Jimmy began to envision what might be doable in his hometown of Birmingham to support its low-income residents in the downtown area. To that end, he returned to Birmingham and created the James Rushton I Foundation to complement the work of community partners in transforming Metropolitan Gardens into a neighborhood that could foster and support family life, good educational opportunities, economic vitality, spiritual growth, physical safety, and visual beauty. Jimmy’s vision, hard work, and financial support are strongly felt to this day in many charitable and service-oriented organizations including Birmingham YMCA’s Downtown Youth Center, Jones Valley Teaching Farm, First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, and the James Rushton Early Learning Center—the entry point to Woodlawn United’s Cradle-to-College-Education Pathway. In addition to developing and operating many programs to serve his fellow Birminghamians including for job readiness, home building, residential gardening, and social engagement, Jimmy financially supported a long list of not just local but state- and worldwide charitable organizations on an annual basis. Always gentle and kind, Jimmy was an intellect, a learner, a listener, a friend to those fortunate enough to be his friends, and a crucial supporter to countless others who never had the pleasure of knowing him.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Colonel William James Rushton, his mother, Elizabeth Perry Rushton, his brother, William “Billy” James Rushton, his sister-in-law, LaVona Price Rushton, and his great niece, Lily Price Rushton. With no children of his own, he is survived by his three nephews and their spouses, children, and grandchildren. He will be sorely missed by the family members and friends he leaves behind.

It would be his hope that, in lieu of flowers, you would give financially, spiritually, or simply in kindness to your fellow citizens most in need of help.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am this Friday, June 5th, at the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham.