Raymond D. Russell, Jr.

Raymond Deyo Russell, Jr., 87, of East Moline, Illinois passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026.

He was born on April 17, 1938, in Nevada, Iowa, the son of Raymond Sr. and Gladys (Thorn) Russell. Ray was a graduate of Riceville High School, Class of 1956, in Riceville, Iowa. Ray continued his education at Iowa State University in Ames, where he participated in the ROTC program. Although health complications made him ineligible from enlisting as a service member in the Navy, Ray still went on to leave a lasting mark through the life he built, the family he loved, and the countless people he impacted along the way.

Ray began his career in the newspaper industry as a Linotype Operator, a path that led him to several communities over the years, including Prescott, Wisconsin, where he met his first wife Arlene Reichert, they married in 1958. Following the newspaper business, he moved to Galva, Illinois, where he lived from 1968 to 1973. He eventually settled in Walcott, Iowa, working for J&J Automation Company eventually owning the business and renaming it J&J Farm Supply, his true passion, which he proudly operated for 17 years.

Later in life, Ray married the love of his life, Kathleen Dickson, on April 16, 1988, in Davenport, where they shared a loving journey of nearly 38 years of marriage. Ray and Kathy later made their home in East Moline. After closing his business in Walcott, he joined J.L. Brady, where he worked as a sales representative and estimator until retiring.

Ray was a beloved role model, mentor, and steady source of love, strength, and wisdom to all who knew him. To his family, he was far more than a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a guiding presence and a source of stability for his family. A man whose deep kindness, generosity, and unmistakable sense of humor left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

He found joy in life’s simple and meaningful pleasures. He loved golfing, gardening, and cooking, and he poured himself fully into each of those passions. A talented golfer, he proudly scored four holes-in-one over the years. In his garden, he grew produce not only for himself, but for everyone, generously donating much of it to the local food pantry so that his hard work could serve those in need. He loved cooking for the people around him, in more ways than one, using food to show how much he cared for the people he loved.

Ray was known for his heart of gold and sense of humor that could brighten any room. He had a way of making people smile that was effortless and genuine. The joy he brought to others lived not only in the moments he created, but in the family, he helped shape. He taught by example through his steadiness, stoicism, and compassion with which he cared for the people around him. His influence reached far beyond words; it helped shape the values and compasses of those who loved him most.

His legacy is not one etched in stone, but in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known and loved him; whose memory will live on in the lives he touched and in the stories that will be shared for years to come.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy; his children, John Russell of Davenport, Iowa, Jack Russell of Geneseo, Illinois, and Denise (Darwin) Slaikeu of Coal Valley, Illinois; Kathy's children, Michelle Dickson of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Jodi (Richard) Malmgren of West Fargo, North Dakota; his grandchildren, Garrett and Zachary Butler; his step-grandchildren, Jacob (Kaitlin), Alexa, and Nikolas Schmidt, and Maverick Malmgren; his great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Gavin Butler; and his brother, Dennis (Penny) Russell of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Wally and Larry Russell.

A Celebration of Life Honoring Ray will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, with a time of sharing for family and friends at 3:30 p.m.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.