Russell Pierce, 74, of Salina, Kansas, passed away while wintering in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas that he loved on December 25, 2024, in Ingram, Texas. He was born in Salina, Kansas, to Melvin and Lorraine Pierce on May 22, 1950. He married Kathy Painter on June 11, 1977, in Salina, Kansas.

He went to school in the Salina, Kansas, school system and graduated from Salina High School in 1968. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1973 and proudly served in the Navy as a Radioman 3rd Class aboard the USS Saratoga. He was an employee of Beech Aircraft/Hawker Beechcraft Corporation in Salina for 42 years, 22 in manufacturing and 20 in management. Russ was active in all his children's activities, and in retirement, those of his grandchildren and great grandchildren as well. He and Kathy were avid travelers and were also 32 year season ticket holders of the Kansas City Chiefs - a love that was shared with their children and friends.

Russell was preceded in death by his father, Melvin, brothers Jerry and Allen, father-in-law Harold Shockley, mother-in-law Eileen Shockley, and brothers-in-law Devin and Gayle Shockley and Fred Siewert.

Survivors include his wife Kathy, 4 children - daughter Rebecca and husband Mike Hangge, son Jeremy and wife Carrie, son Chad and wife Dawn, son Jason and wife Amy; 11 grandchildren-Kelsey Payne and husband Caleb, Jessica Griffin and husband Matt, Brynlee Hangge, Gage Pierce, Carley Pierce, Makayla Pierce, Saige Pierce, Aidan Pierce, Nathan Pierce, Jonathan Pierce, Ethan Pierce; 7 great grandchildren-Ryker, Rylend, Ryne and Ryver Payne; Addie, Levi, and Cayden Griffin. Also surviving is Russell's mother, Lorraine, and his sister, Joyce Siewert, sister-in-laws Kathy and Wanda Pierce, Cristy and Kathy Shockley. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a legion of friends.

There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Salina, Kansas. Inurnment will be private for immediate family at another date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Christ the King Lutheran Church in Salina, Kansas, Wild Ride Ministries in Harper, Texas, or the USS Lexington Mission in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Peterson Healthcare and Hospice, Texas Oncology, and Franklin Clinic all of Kerrville, Texas, for their excellent care and compassion.

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