Linn County News
Published November 13, 2024
Russell (Rusty) Alan Taylor went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at his home in Pittsburg, Kan., at the age of 58 years, 2 months and 18 days.
Russell was born August 19, 1966, to Hubert Adam Taylor, Jr. and Sharon Joyce (Gregg) Taylor. Russell attended elementary and junior high school in Urich and Lee’s Summit, Mo., transferring to Pleasanton, Kan., for high school where he graduated in 1984.
He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in his youth. In his teens and young adult life, he was active at First Baptist Church of Pleasanton. Upon moving to Pittsburg, he attended Christ Community Church for several years, then transferred to South Broadway Baptist Church, remaining there until his death.
In high school, Russell enjoyed participating in band, football, track and basketball (affectionately earning the title Wrong Way Rusty). After high school, he was involved in the ROTC program while attending Pittsburg State University. In 1989, he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves.
In January 2001, Russell married Sue Ouderkirk. Russell adored his two stepdaughters, Brittany and Lauren, amused by their many antics. The family was blessed with a son, Anthony (Tony) Hubert Taylor, in 2002. Tony was the apple of Russell’s eye. His life from that point on focused on being a wonderful father to Tony, with his most important goal being for Tony to grow up with a love for Jesus. When Tony passed away in July of 2019, Russell knew in his heart that Tony was home with the Lord, which was his greatest comfort as he adjusted to life without him. There’s never been a more proud and devoted father.
Russell was a dedicated KC Chiefs and Royals fan, rarely missing a televised game with his beloved dachshund, Casey, by his side. Russell and Tony exchanged much good-natured ribbing over their opposing favorite teams. Russell was also a staunch Republican. We can all be assured he is rejoicing in heaven over the recent presidential election.
Russell worked in sales for many years in and around Pittsburg and Pleasanton. At the time of his death, he was a warranty sales consultant at Metro Appliances in Joplin, Mo. The Metro family would attest to Russell’s competitive nature. Whether it was having the top sales in warranties or picking the winning football teams for the week, he always wanted to be the “top dog.” He will be missed.
Russell is preceded in death by his son, Anthony Hubert Taylor; his father, Hubert Adam Taylor, Jr.; his paternal grandparents, Hubert and Virginia Taylor, Sr.; and his maternal grandparents, Harold and Carol Gregg.
He is survived by his mother, Sharon Joyce (Gregg) Akins of Bolivar, Mo.; stepdaughters Brittany Smith and Lauren Henson (Michael), all of Pittsburg, Kan.; stepmothers, Cindy Dawson (Randall) of Mound City, Kan., and Jackie Taylor of Pleasanton, Kan.; brothers Richard Gregg (Jodie) of Fair Play, Mo.; Charles Taylor (Barbara) of Harrisonville, Mo.; Chad Taylor of St. Robert, Mo.; Kyle Walker (Berenice) of Gladstone, Mo.; sisters Katherine Gupton of Phoenix, Ariz. and Teresa Fry (David) of Mountain Grove, Mo.; several aunts and uncles, seven step-grandchildren, and 19 nieces and nephews.
Russell is also survived by his close friends John and Suezette Fleske, and children, who have been ever present, loving, and helpful to him throughout his good times and rough times. Russell was much loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Russell will be cremated under the direction of Midland Cremation Society of Joplin. Interment will be at a later date at Fisher Cemetery, Pleasanton, Kan.
A celebration of life will be held at South Broadway Baptist Church, 1322 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kan. 66762 on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Tony Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by South Broadway Baptist Church.
OBITUARIES
Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025 Bonnie Faye Bishop, age 76, Olathe, Kan., passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She was born on March 25, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of William and Imogene Krueger Carter. After graduating from high... [More]
Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025 Lois A. Murray, age 93, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Overland Park, Kan. Lois was born the daughter of Arlie and Winifred Stanhope Poindexter on Nov. 3, 1931, near Drexel, Mo.... [More]
Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 23, 2025 Dr. Howard F. Wilson, age 87, of Garnett, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Howard Frank Wilson was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Garden City, Mo. He was the... [More]
More Obituaries
- Anna Louise Stites ~ 09-27-1946 to 04-13-2025
- Sandra Kay “Sandy” Crooks ~ 01-08-1949 to 04-13-2025
- Richard Lee Keaton ~ 01-29-1935 to 04-05-2025
- Linda Ann Pruitt ~ 05-08-1953 to 04-07-2025
- Ira “Sonny” Ray Caruthers, Jr. ~ 05-23-1955 to 04-02-2025
- Michelle Lynn Young ~ 05-20-1967 to 04-04-2025
- Phyllis Sybil Colbert ~ 11-23-1935 to 03-28-2025
- Joseph Francis “Mr. Joe” Cunningham ~ 03-17-1967 to 03-31-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Legislative Update

April 18, 2025 Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, SB 9, prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing property within 100 miles of a military installation and any foreign adversary ownership of non-residential real property purchased prior to July 1, 2025,... [More]
16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed

Late Wednesday afternoon, April 16, orders were filed dismissing all 16 current cases on file in Linn County District Court concerning the Tanglewood Lake gate incident, 14 of which were filed against separate individuals that stemmed from the incident in May 2023. According... [More]
Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county

During the April 21 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower reported to his fellow board members that he had met with the Tanglewood Lake board president and a resident the previous week and noted that they wanted a resolution or motion that clarified if the roads are... [More]
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- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
- Notice
- Public comment results in allegations of unethical behavior
- Parker reinstates local policing
- Two charged following vehicular incident in Parker
- Pleasanton approves zoning request
- La Cygne leaders talk future street improvements
SPORTS
Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Pleasanton on April 15 for the Pleasanton Invitational. The Hawks did very well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams won the meet. The girls won with a score of 188 points while the boys won with a score of 127 points. There were... [More]
Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational

The Pleasanton track team hosted their home invitational on April 15. The Jays did well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed in the top three out of nine teams. The boys were second with 92 points while the girls were third with 107.5 points. “It was... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational
- Prairie View softball falls in league contest to Iola
- Prairie View softball drops close games against Santa Fe Trail
- Pleasanton baseball falls to Southeast Cherokee and Marmaton Valley
- Jayhawk softball splits against Central Heights
- Prairie View softball starts season 3-1
- Pleasanton baseball opens season 2-2 against Oswego and Crest
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

