Russell Stephenson, 59 of Liberty, MO, passed away October 7, 2023 at St. Luke’s North Hospital. He was born in Smithville, MO, on July 2, 1964 to Josiah “Si” and Leona Stephenson. Russ is one of nine siblings. Si and Leona raised their kids in a small one bedroom home in Plattsburgh, MO, after Si retired as City Marshall of Smithville, MO.
Russ later moved to Liberty where he met Angie and they got married. Russ and Angie were married for 36 years with two children and one grandson.
Russ is preceded in death by parents, Josiah “Si” and Leona; brothers, Oakley and William; and numerous other family members.
Russ is survived by his wife of the home, Angie; son, Matthew (Ivana) and grandson, Si of Liberty; son, David (Jessica) of Kearney; brother, Vernon of Excelsior Springs; sister, Leona of Plattsburgh; sister, Bessie of Oak Grove; brothers, Charles of Warsaw, Joe of Farmington, and Donald and Bob, both of Ardmore, OK; and many friends and extended family.
As an adult Russ started Alaskan Air HVAC where he did heating, cooling, and air conditioning as well as home repairs, which his son, Matt, now runs and operates. For a time he also worked on cars at a garage and for friends/family out of his home garage, but among the many cars he worked on, he loved Camaros the most. Russ passed that love of Camaros onto his sons where he spent many hours with his sons working on his Camaro or one of theirs. Even as technology advanced, Russ continued to help the boys work on their various vehicles and newer HVAC tech. There wasn’t much Russ couldn’t fix whether it was a home or car project!
Russ enjoyed spending time out hiking old roads to Smithville Lake with brothers, nephews, and friends, or just a hike anywhere where he could find some trees. His pride and joy was spending time with his grandson, Si, and neighbor grandkids.
Services will be held at The Falls (22610 State Route 92, Kearney, MO 64060) on Friday, October 13, 2023 with visitation at 3 p.m. and Celebration of Life following at 4 p.m. with street car roll through. Private graveside for immediate family will be at a later time, he will be buried at Paradise Cemetery in Smithville (Paradise Township) with his parents.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of St. Luke’s North ICU team and the Pulmonary Doctors of St. Luke’s for excellent care. Contributions can be given to the family to assist in paying for funeral expenses.
Arrangements in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.
