Kenneth Wayne Russell

Kenneth Russell left us too soon; he was just 71 years young when he passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 22, 2017. Kenny, as he was known to most, was born in Bristol, Tennessee, the son of Clifford and Ruby Alice (Baird) Russell. Kenny was deeply passionate and caring, which may have accounted for his enlisting in the United State Army, as many Americans, to serve and protect his Country. He was a communication-electronics maintenance and operations chief serving in HHC 5th Sig Bn, 5th Infantry Division. He held the rank of 1st Sergeant. He was awarded the National Defense Service medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3d Oak Leaf Cluster), Overseas Service Bars (4), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon (7). He was very proud of his military service, being an Army Veteran, and protecting and defending freedom in the United States and around the world. He retired from the Army. However, Kenny was most passionate about his family. He married the love of his life, Connie, on June 14, 1974 in Killeen, Texas. He was a loving and caring husband and father to his two kids, Traci and Todd. He enjoyed all the time he could spend with his family and cherished the joy they gave to him on a daily basis. He was described as being good, kind, giving and always looked out for everybody. Kenny would do anything for you and wanted everybody to be OK. He loved to fish and hunt and golf and also was a regular face in many a sporting event held at the West Elk School District in Howard, Kansas, and the many friends and relatives who participated in those events will miss his cheering support. Kenny will be most remembered for his love of family, his friendly demeanor as he “made the rounds” of Howard each day, smiling and greeting everyone he met. Kenny was the husband of Connie, who survives at the home, the loving father of Traci (Jamie) Mull of Howard, Todd (Lisa) Gilmore of Salina, Kansas, brother to Janet Hatmaker of Knoxville, TN, and Thomas Russell of Bristol, TN., brother-in-law to Joyce Nash of Howard, KS, grandfather to Christopher (Bud) and Andrea Mull, Cole Mull, Tori Gilmore and Kaitlyn Gilmore and forever friends of Dave and Karen Dahl of Howard, Kansas. Kenny is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Ruby Russell. A Graveside Service with Military and Masonic honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 27, 2017 at the Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas with Pastor Darrell Spicer officiating. Memorials in Kenny’s name, in lieu of flowers, have been suggested to the Howard Independent Baptist Church and may be left at or sent to: Countryside Funeral Home, 206 East Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349. Condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home.

Kenneth Wayne Russell

October 13, 1946 - October 22, 2017