Russell was born March 5, 1940 to Arthur and Mabel "Marie" Gresham in Parkville, Missouri. Russell grew up in Parkville, Missouri until he joined the United States Navy in 1957. Russell proudly served his country until his retirement as Chief Petty Officer in 1977.
Russell loved to tell stories about his time in the Navy to his children and grandchildren. He loved to be outdoors working on anything and everything he could get his hands on. You could never find anything he could not fix.
Russell is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Donald, Roger, Harold, and Phillip. Sisters Rose Marie and Lucy.
Russell is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Alice F. Gresham of Kansas City, Missouri; his children Jenny Drake of Ottawa, Kansas, Belinda "Holly" Evans of Wellsville, Kansas, Phillip Gresham of Rogersville, Missouri, Amy Hamilton (Reg) of Wellsville, Kansas, Katrine Stanley of Kansas City, Missouri, Joshua Howell-Stanley (David) of Kansas City, Missouri and bonus daughter Tiffany Buerkle (Johnny) of Kansas City, Missouri; 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at White Chapel Funeral Home, located at 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119, on August 22, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
The funeral service will follow at the same venue from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
A graveside committal will take place at Mt. Washington Cemetery, located at 614 S Brookside Ave, Independence, MO 64053, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm on the same day.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate Russell's life.
