passed away at age 83 on March 20, 2025. He was born September 20, 1941 in St. Louis to Emerson and Olga Russell. He is survived by his loving partner, Kathleen (Lulu) Dunsford, his sister, Roxanne Wallace (nee Russell), his stepdaughter, Jessica Warneke (Stafford) and handsome grandsons, Max, Augie and James Warneke, his former wife Barbara (nee Roberts) Russell and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
John was in the Marine Corps for three years and went to Vanderbilt University before working in the trust department at a bank in Nashville, TN. He was an attorney working for the IRS in Washington, DC for three years before starting his own law practice in St. Louis from 1974-2017.
He played basketball at Vanderbilt and was ALL-SEC for two years in the 60’s, one of the best players for the Commodores. He also was assistant coach while attending law school on scholarship at Vanderbilt.
In John’s leisure time, he coached St. Louis ARC basketball, softball, golf and track for 43 years for developmentally challenged athletes. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and prepared meals for homeless at Biddle House and St. Patrick’s Center. He enjoyed travel, camping, backpacking, reading, art, history, going to coffee shops, attending musical venues and cheering for his grandsons’ sporting events.
He was loved by everyone who had the pleasure of crossing his path.
Services: Lutheran Church of Webster Groves, 8749 Watson Rd. 63119, on Friday April 11 at 12 noon. Memorials may be made to St. Louis ARC, Leisure Department, 1177 N. Warson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63132 or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Co-Pay Assistance Program, P. O. Box 12268, Newport News, VA 23612
Played golf with this guy, had many dinners out with him and Lulu, came to know them both as fierce friends and the best of people. We travelled to Europe as a team just last Fall – can’t believe that he is gone from our lives. He would have some sort of funny/snarky thing to say right now if he was still with us but I will have to fill in for him right now. Surely he would say: Get over yourself and move on .
We shall do that, Johnny, in your honor, And as you told me in a moment of truth: “Your golf game will never be better than it is today, so don’t keep saying that you’re going to take lessons’.
Whatever!
And I love you, see you on the other side.
Miss him. Good friend, long time, one of the very few best. And he was a good guy. Awwww what can I say?
I met John in 1983 as a coach for the SLARC Bombers and he became a huge part of my summers for over 30 years. I don’t believe I have ever known a kinder, thoughtful or fun man as well as a most generous umpire for the SLARC teams. I believe he made a deep impression and was much loved by the many athletes he worked with. John will truly be missed.
I coached St. Louis ARC basketball with John since 1981. He touched the lives of many people in all those years. He will truly be missed but his legacy and kind heart will live on forever.
So sorry to hear 😢 . When I first got in coaching at SLARC , John and the Hawks was my first team! John was a amazing mentor! You saw a lot of wisdom on how he coached and talked to the players . He will always remembered.
We are grateful to have had the privilege of calling John our friend. His kindness and generosity leaves a lasting gift to us all.
I am so sorry to hear about John’s death. I moved out of St. Louis a long time ago but remember the fun times and conversations I had with John back in the day. He had a great personality and sense of humor but behind all that he was seriously committed to the less fortunate. I will always picture John smiling.
John was an amazing person. He was so funny and kind hearted. Always lit up the room. We were so glad to have known him for even the short time. My aunt was so happy and loved every adventure she went on with John. He loved kids and always made them smile.
John was a terrific influence on our freshman basketball class at Vandy in 1963, and a friend since. His mantra of “Do it right and do it now” has stuck for 62 years. I’m sure he gave of himself and made the planet a better place for humanity. Condolences to family.
I had the great honor to work with John for 29 years. He was one of the best people I have ever known. Such a wonderful and kind man to all. He made such an imprint on my life I will ever forget him. Thank you for all the fun memories, bright smiles, and loving ways. You will be so missed.
Condolences to the family.
Went to high school and college with John. Always admired his big heart and sense of humor. As the mother of a special needs child, I was touched by what he did for special needs kids. What a wonderful man! He will definitely be missed!
I played on the great 1559 Webster Groves basketball team with John. He was the
star. John made first team all-state . Went on to play basketball at Vanderbilt and
was All-SEC for two years. His senior year Vanderbilt tied Kentucky for the SEC
title. He went through Vanderbilt 7 years. 4 undergraduate years on basketball
scholarship and 3 years at law school as an assistant coach. He went to one of the
most expensive schools in the country for 7 years and never paid a dime. John was
my business and personal Lawyer for 55 years. My wife Stella and I will miss John
and pray that God will bless him.
I knew John through my sister Jan and had the pleasure of hanging out with John and Lulu numerous times. We biked the St. Louis and Illinois trails and did not set any speed records as John and Lulu like to smell the roses every 5 miles or so. And the special treat was Lulu’s home baked bread and snacks at each stop. That is how you can cycle and gain weight at the same time! John was a special man and his admirable perspective on life of kindness and service is one I hope to model. He will be missed. RIP
I played on the great 1959 Webster Groves basketball team with John and he was the star. John was all State first team when the State had only one category. John played basketball at Vanderbilt University and was All SEC for two years. Hi Senior year Vanderbilt tied Kentucky for the SEC title. He had a basketball scholarship for 4 years at Vanderbilt. While John attended Law School at Vanderbilt, he also was their Assistant Basketball Coach. He went 7 years to one of the most expensive Universities in the country and never paid a dime.
John was our personal and business attorney for 55 years and a very dear friend of ours. We already miss him.
God bless John.
With Love, Pat and Stella Corley
I had the pleasure of being a teammate at Vanderbilt. No one worked harder or was a better student of the game than John Russell. As happens, we went separate ways after our sojourn in Nashville. We had recently reconnected and that was a wonderful feeling. John, you will be missed by all who ever knew you. Rest in peace my friend.
If the only time we live
is the present, and if the present is immeasurably short (or long), then by the measure of the measurers we don’t
exist at all, which seems
improbable, or we are
immortals, living always
in eternity, as from time to time
we hear, but rarely know. W. Berry
John shared his love of poetry with me, including the ones he’s written. Wendell Berry’s poem above was a favorite.
I’ll miss our lively conversations, his encouragement on the golf course, listening to the blues and enjoying a good cold beverage after, (or during), any of the many activities of friendship I was privileged to have with John.
John helped me set up my business and advised me when I needed it, which was often! He helped my daughter settle the estate when her grandfather died, it was a stressful time.
I was blessed by his abundant kindness.
Peace John, Godspeed!
Susan
John was a good man. His kindness was deep. He was our personal attorney for years. We appreciated his honesty and law knowledge. He loved his community and participated willingly in helping kids. He loved to camp and hike in far out places like it was no big deal. We enjoyed our breakfast dates with he and Lulu. We caught up with each other’s activities. John was always a special friend whether we were playing golf or attending a Webster or Mizzou basketball or football game. Our hearts are sad but the memories of a wonderful person will help heal that feeling.
Bob and Kathy Hill
Oh John! I met him in 1991 when I started at the St. Louis Arc as an intern. Since then we have had the privilege of growing and knowing many individuals and families at the St. Louis Arc. For 44 years, John gave his heart, time, and spirit to serving people with disabilities. He was more than a volunteer — he was a friend, and a source of strength for countless individuals and families. He had passion for people! He didn’t just show up — he made a difference. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the smiles he inspired, and the community he helped shape with love and dedication. To John – Happy Journey on your new Adventures!!
Love, Rhonda Hembree
I met John Russell in 19:81..I play.on the Hawks went he was coaching the Hawk.He was a great coach. l will miss him.
John was my fraternity brother for four years at Vanderbilt and for three years of law school. I even got to be his teammate on our intramural basketball team during law school. What an honor and a treat that was! John was unassuming and kind, a simply wonderful friend and comrade (we joined and served in the Marine Corps at the same time also). I even married his ex girlfriend. May God bless your soul, John. In hoc and Semper Fi. Joe