Jerry Eugene Russell February 13, 1942 to September 8, 2020
Jerry Eugene Russell
February 13, 1942 to September 8, 2020
Jerry Eugene Russell, 78, of Queen City, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at the Schuyler County Nursing Home in Queen City, Missouri.
The son of the late Clifford Wayne and Elizabeth Pearl (Salisbury) Russell, he was born February 13, 1942 in Kirksville, Missouri. On May 12, 1966, in Sublett, Missouri, Jerry was united in marriage to Dorene Kay Martin.
Jerry is survived by his wife Dorene of fifty-four years; two sons, Shawn (Laci Cook) Russell of Kirksville, Missouri, and Brian Russell of Queen City, Missouri; one daughter, Traci (Todd) Lawrence of Kirksville, Missouri; two brothers, Jay (Barbara) Russell of Independence, Missouri, and Rick Russell of Grain Valley, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Anthony (Tiffany) Russell, Baylea (Nicholas Grant) Turner, McKenzie (Austin) Zoda, Tyler Turner, Clara Russell, Maya McKiver, Ethan Lawrence, and Evan Lawrence; four great-grandchildren, Rylea Clay, Birklee Speiser, Jaxxon Turner, and Hunter Grant; two brothers-in-law, Stanley Martin and Rick Vincent, four sisters-in-law, Becky Howe, Marcia Martin, Donna Small, and Cathy Vincent; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Larry and Bob Russell; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ted and Florence Martin; two sisters-in-law, Shirley McAuley and Brenda Russell; three brothers-in-law, Bob Howe, Dick Hildabital, and Miran McAuley; three nephews, Gabriel Small, Tyson Vincent, and Ricky Russell; and his fur baby, Polly.
Jerry received his education in the Kirksville public schools and in 1960 enlisted into the United States Navy, proudly serving his country until being honorably discharged in 1964. He returned home and attended North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri, until transferring to Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College, where he received his BA in Education. In 1977, Jerry began teaching at North Andrew High School in Rosendale, Missouri, then taught at Brashear and Novinger High Schools, until laying out for two years to follow his children play ball. He later taught and coached at Schuyler County High School, where he served as athletic director and coached for a total of thirty years until retiring. Jerry owned and operated the Blue Moon Cafe in Kirksville a number of years.
Jerry served on the Senior Housing Board, served on the Queen City City Council, was commissioner for the KBSA, and coached baseball and softball when his children played.
Jerry had resided in Queen City since 1996 and attended Schuyler County Church of Faith in Lancaster, Missouri.
Public visitation were held 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.
Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with Pastor Sonny Smyser and Pastor Virgil Jones, presiding. Interment with military honors followed the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.
Pallbearers were Shawn Russell, Brian Russell, Rick Russell, Anthony Russell, Tyler Turner, and Todd Lawrence. Honorary pallbearers were Jay Russell, Tiffany Russell, Baylea Turner, Nicholas Grant, McKenzie Zoda, Austin Zoda, Clara Russell, Rylea Clay, Birklee Speiser, Hunter Grant, Ethan Lawrence, Evan Lawrence, and Maya McKiver.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Jerry may be made to Highland Park Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, Missouri 63501.
Due to COVID-19 masks and social distancing are required, during visitation and the service.
