Russell Timothy Easterwood

Reflections of Life

Russell was the sixth of seven children, born in Kansas City, Kansas to the parentage of Robert F. Easterwood, Jr. and Hazel L. Gault Easterwood on March 10, 1958.  He departed this life at home on April 18, 2021.

Russell was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1976 and received a scholarship in architecture from the University of Kansas. Russell graduated with an Associate Degree in Business from Johnson County Community College.  He later received a Kansas real estate license; however, his love was for art.

Russell was a lifelong member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and was active in the choir.

Russell was a self-taught artist, who began painting in grade school.  In 1979, he made painting his profession.  His artistic talents also included making and decorating clocks and operating a gift basket service.  Russell has had exhibitions throughout the City, from First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District to the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, and his work has been displayed in various offices at the KCK Housing Authority, KU Medical Center and in several private galleries and collections throughout the country.  Russell said his talent was a “gift from God, and to God be the praise.”

He loved making trips to the Nelson Art Gallery, with a special stop in their food court for their Reuben sandwich. He was a collector, who loved shopping for unique items ranging from a carousel horse to an ornamental tree he used to decorate each holiday throughout the year.

Russell was a fun-loving and generous person that would gladly give you his last dime. He made friends wherever he went, and he loved his family. 

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, and older sister, Barbara (Rufus) Young of Dallas, Texas; and nephew, Will E. Carroll.  He  leaves to cherish his memory sisters, Donna Carroll; Beverly Easterwood; Patrice (Christopher) Townsend; brothers, Robert (Judi) Easterwood; and Donald Easterwood; all of Kansas City, Kansas, nieces, Deanna Carroll (Corey) of St Charles, Missouri; Rachelle (Michael) Warren of Fort Worth, Texas; Rhonda Young (Keith Marshall) of Austin, Texas;  Shakedra (Tariq) Knight; Deidre (Antwan) Daniels of Dallas, Texas; Dana (Mikal) Jackson; Candice Townsend,; nephews, Kevin Easterwood; Reginald Easterwood; Rufus Young; great nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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