Gregory D. Russell

1955 - 2022

Gregory "Greg" David Russell, 66, St. Thomas, passed away peacefully at his home, Monday, April 18, 2022.

Greg was born Oct. 18, 1955, in St. Louis, the son of David and Helen Jean, nee Hoff, Russell. He was married May 15, 1998, to Darlene, nee Toebben, Russell, who survives at the home. Greg was a 1974 graduate of St. Clair High School where he was class president and earned the nickname "Tank." He was an avid Boy Scout and earned the highest honor of Eagle Scout.

In 1977, he graduated from Kentucky School of Mortuary Science and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 2005 from William Woods University. Greg grew up in the funeral industry and ran Russell Colonial Funeral Home alongside his parents. He started St. Clair Monument Company and Crestview Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Clair. Greg was a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 45 years. He received his Certified Funeral Service Professional (CFSP) designation and his Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) designation from the National Funeral Directors Association. He was a member of the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association and served as president of the association from 1994 to 1995. Greg was instrumental in purchasing the association building and was the public information officer during the Hardin Cemetery Disaster. He was honored with a resolution from then Governor Mel Carnahan for his dedicated work to the funeral industry. He also received a resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives for his distinguished leadership and loyal service. He also served as president of the Missouri Allied Council and was recognized for his leadership to the funeral industry. Greg received recognition for achieving legislative goals for the association. In 2018, he received recognition for 40 years of dedicated service to the funeral profession at the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Convention. Greg was honored to have been recently appointed to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors by Governor Mike Parson.

Greg was a licensed insurance producer and earned his diploma as a life underwriter training council fellow and received his LUTCF designation in 1999. He served as president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) from 2018 to 2019. He worked for the Link Insurance Agency in Jefferson City and Lake of the Ozarks. He then worked alongside his wife, Darlene, at Capital Reserve Life Insurance in Jefferson City. He later worked as executive vice president of Missouri Dental Insurance Services, Inc., until his retirement in 2019.

Greg was active in numerous professional and civic groups and received numerous awards. Most recently, he was recognized for his 21 years of service to the Blair Oaks School Board - longest serving board member in Blair Oaks history. "Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon." He served numerous years on the Londell School Board and was the recipient of the St. Clair Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 1992. He also served as president of the St. Clair Rotary Club.

In 2011 he received special recognition for his loyalty and dedicated service from Missouri Dental Insurance Services.

He was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church where he served as cantor and lector. He was the MC for the Parish Fall Fantasy event for 20 years and worked alongside his wife to make the event successful. He was a member of St. Thomas Knights of Columbus. Greg loved his St. Thomas Community.

Greg enjoyed working at his farm in Iberia alongside his best friend, Danny Fitzpatrick. Danny would also help Greg with setting monuments for Russell Monument, and the two of them spent countless hours talking about tractors. He was an avid gardener and loved giving away his produce to so many.

Greg was so very proud of his family and loved all of them so deeply. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandson. Greg took great pride in his farm and welcomed the peacefulness that working the land provided him. His endearing personality allowed him to connect easily with others, and his many years of dedication to his community earned him the respect and love of many. His family was the greatest joy of his life, and his wit and humor will live on in generations to come.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; six children, Elizabeth "Beth" (Conor) Devine, Foxfield, Colorado, Jennifer "Jenny" (Jared) Bush, Lonedell, Sarah Russell, St. Clair, Nicole (Bradley) Vollmer, Pilot Grove, Jesse (Kelly) Reinkemeyer, Wardsville, and Chris (Jenny) Reinkemeyer, Rocheport; his two brothers, John Russell, St. Louis, and Tom (Lori) Russell, Littleton, Colorado; his stepfather, Ron (Betty) Redhage, St. Clair; 18 grandchildren, Madailein and William Devine, Willow, Ellis, Landry and Shiloh Bush, Ashley Bradford, Weslee and Elizabeth Vollmer, Jazmin, Alyssa and Maddox Reinkemeyer, Anthony Figueroa, Alaina, Emma, Dixie, Shaunna and Payton Reinkemeyer; and one great-grandson, Boone Wolfe. He also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, David and Helen "Jean" Russell; his mother- and father-in-law, Edwin and Veronica Toebben; and numerous others.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church or the Greg D. Russell Blair Oaks Scholarship Fund.

Visitation was held Thursday, April 21, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 14818 Route B, St. Thomas, MO 65076, with a prayer service at 4 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 22, at the church.

Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home, Meta.