Rahe J. Russell

Rahe James Russell, 100, of Lone Jack, MO, died Monday March 19, 2007. He was born on May 17, 1906, in rural Jackson County, William Madison Russell and Marion Ivy Hinde Russells� second of five children. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence. He was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Virginia Russell, in 2003 and his older brother Loy Russell of Washington state. Survivors include his siblings, Fern Curtis of Clearwater, FL, Margot Anchors of Grain Valley, MO, and William Russell of Independence, MO. He leaves a daughter, Virginia Taylor and two granddaughters and their husbands, Amy and Andy Haun and Polly and Steve Revare. He leaves eight great-grandchildren: Ellen, Grace, and Polly Haun; Virginia, Graham, Frank, Henry, and Russell Revare, as well as nieces, nephews, and many friends. Throughout his life, he loved the outdoors. For almost 30 years he took yearly trips to Montana, where he would pack in the mountains on horseback to hunt and fish. He was an ardent angler, hunter and conservationist and belonged to the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited. His farm in Lone Jack became a game refuge and sanctuary for wildlife. He and his wife were members of Hillcrest Country Club for over 50 years, as well. In his professional life, he was a pioneer in the accident prevention and safety field. He retired as vice president of US Safety Service Company in 1972 and served as President of the Kansas City Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. In retirement he enjoyed dedicating his time to hunting, fishing, farming, and traveling to the Arctic Circle and Africa. The family requests no flowers and suggests donations to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Dr., suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606 or Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120, attention: Becky. No services are planned, however, a celebration of his life will be held in May. Cremation. The family extends special thanks to the staff at John Knox Care Center, unit 100, for their outstanding support and loving care.