Jesse Leon Russell

Jesse Leon Russell, 85, entered Heaven on August 18, 2026, passing peacefully at ComfortCare Homes in Newton, KS.

Born on April 26, 1941, in Natoma, KS, Jesse was the 5th of 14 children born to the late James and Ruth (Selby) Russell. He completed his freshman year at Fulton High School and later in life proudly obtained his GED in 1993.

Jesse honorably served his country in the United States Navy as an Aircraft Gunner's Mate from 1959 to 1962. Following his military service, he moved to Plainville, KS, where his life changed forever. It was there he met a lovely waitress named Mary Bloomer. Smitten, Jesse began eating all of his meals at the restaurant where she worked. He eventually tricked her into a first date by challenging her to prove she could bake a pie from scratch. The wager worked beautifully; they began dating and were married on December 7, 1963. Jesse quickly and wholeheartedly relished the role of father to Mary’s daughter, Ronda, whom he later adopted.

The family eventually moved to Newton, KS, where Jesse and Mary welcomed two more daughters, Julie and April "Annie". A naturally gifted mechanic, Jesse trained in brakes and hydraulics in Omaha, NE. He spent his career turning wrenches for several companies, running a busy home shop where he helped countless individuals, and ultimately retired from Westar Energy in Wichita in 2000.

On November 11, 1971, Jesse, Mary, and Ronda made the most important decision of their lives when they accepted the Lord as their personal Savior. From that moment on, faith and service were central to Jesse's life. He became deeply active in his church community and dedicated 12 years of service to the Newton Bible Christian School board.

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Mary (Bloomer) Russell; his daughter, Ronda (Russell) Baker; his grandson, Brady Koerner; his brothers, James, Jerry, Joseph, Leslie, Jay, and Don; and his sisters, Louise (Russell) Roy and Marita Russell.

He is survived by his daughters, Julie (Todd) Koerner and April "Annie" (Jason) Reynolds, both of Newton; his grandchildren, Gillian (Tyler) Giles, Zachary (Elaine) Baker, Whitney (Anthony) Adams, Veronica (Tanner) Merritt, Eden (Cody) Maccombs, Malee (Jeremiah) Howington, Lauren Koerner, and Don (Courtney) Reynolds; 20 cherished great-grandchildren; his brothers, Dennis, Robert, Wayne, Charles, and Kevin; and a large, loving extended family of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Private family interment with Military Honors will be in the Greenwood Cemetery Newton. A memorial service will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026 at First Missionary Church Newton, Kansas