Russell
Russell Means
d. July 20, 2012
Russell Means passed away July 20, 2012 at Menorah Medical Center. He was born May 29, 1920 in Gary, Indiana, the son of Thomas and Laura Means. He volunteered as a private in the Army Air Force in 1939 and was released from active duty as a decorated Captain in June 1945. He was immediately employed by TWA as a pilot. Flying 35 years for TWA, he flew both domestic and international routes and airplanes from DC 3 to B747.
Russ donated 355 acres to the Johnson County Park and Recreation Department and has been credited for starting Kill Creek Park, which in time will number 3,000 acres. For that he was presented with the Certificate of Merit by the Board of County Commissioners and the Sierra Club gave Means an Award for giving land To Future Generations. Russ served as Chairman of the Board of Rural Water District 6 in its formative years. He was appointed Commissioner on the Johnson Country Airport Commission and was awarded a Certificate of Merit for his work on the Commission by the Board of County Commissioners. Russ was a member of Save a Connie, a member of TWA's retired pilots TARPA, aQuiet Birdman, a member of the American Legion and the DAV.
He is survived by daughter Michele Means of Holbrook, AZ and grandsons Andrew and Matthew Joshu of Phoenix, AZ. and daughter Judy and Mike Short and granddaughters Ashley and Jennifer Short of Plano, TX. In lieu of flowers a gift to the Church or The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County, 7904 Renner Rd., Shawnee Mission, KS 66219.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 30th at 10:00a and service at 11:00a followed by a light lunch at the Bethany Lutheran Church 9101 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66207.
Russ donated 355 acres to the Johnson County Park and Recreation Department and has been credited for starting Kill Creek Park, which in time will number 3,000 acres. For that he was presented with the Certificate of Merit by the Board of County Commissioners and the Sierra Club gave Means an Award for giving land To Future Generations. Russ served as Chairman of the Board of Rural Water District 6 in its formative years. He was appointed Commissioner on the Johnson Country Airport Commission and was awarded a Certificate of Merit for his work on the Commission by the Board of County Commissioners. Russ was a member of Save a Connie, a member of TWA's retired pilots TARPA, aQuiet Birdman, a member of the American Legion and the DAV.
He is survived by daughter Michele Means of Holbrook, AZ and grandsons Andrew and Matthew Joshu of Phoenix, AZ. and daughter Judy and Mike Short and granddaughters Ashley and Jennifer Short of Plano, TX. In lieu of flowers a gift to the Church or The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County, 7904 Renner Rd., Shawnee Mission, KS 66219.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 30th at 10:00a and service at 11:00a followed by a light lunch at the Bethany Lutheran Church 9101 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66207.
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