Ronald Reeve Russell

Ronald Reeve Russell 85, of Overland Park, KS passed away on June 5, 2026, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, KS after a month-long battle with a severe lung inflammation caused by a very rare reaction to a heart medication. Ron passed peacefully with his wife Barbara and only daughter Sandra holding his hands as he went home to God.

Ron was born in Neenah, WI to Walter and Jeanette Russell. He graduated from High School in Appleton, WI in 1959 and enlisted in the Navy at 17 to see the world. He served for 6 years in the Navy and then went to work in the private sector. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1965 from the University of Maryland. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1987.

Ron worked for various telecommunication companies for 36 years and retired from Nortel Networks after 20 years. He spent the early part of his retirement at Lake of the Ozarks where he enjoyed his Fountain Power Boat, “White Lightening” and his Bass Boat and Jet Ski. Ron always loved speed, fast boats and fast cars. He loved fishing and playing golf with the guys in the “Bogey Bunch.” He also enjoyed playing cards, photography and travel and of course computers. He was tech support for many of his friends and family and always enjoyed helping people with their computer issues.

Ron was a member of the Church of the Resurrection and volunteered with the Geeks for God Computer Ministry. He was a 32nd degree Mason and belonged to the Lake of the Ozarks Shriner’s Club and served as Rajah in 2003. He was a proud veteran and always had a flag flying at his home. He was included in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. two years ago and was honored to be included. Ron loved being busy and always had a project of some kind he was working on. He always had a positive attitude and was blessed with a great sense of humor. He loved to laugh and he enjoyed every day. You were never bored when Ron was around. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Jeanette Russell, his brother Harold P. Russell and his sister, Nancy A. Russell Miller.

Ron is survived by his wife Barbara Meiners Russell, his daughter Sandra Lynn Russell and granddaughter, Sophie M. Ramesh, his brother Jerry Russell and several nieces and nephews.

All services will be held at Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS 66224, in Wesley Chapel, on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. A visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. with a memorial service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Burial will take place later that day at 2:30 p.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, KS 66048.