Russell Harrison

Russell Harrison, 88, of Kirksville. Missouri passed away at John Knox Memory Care in Lees Summit, Missouri on Sunday July 10, 2022.

Roy Russell Harrison was born on February 28, 1934 in Mexico, Missouri, the son of Roy and Nannie Weidler Harrison who preceded him in death. Russ graduated from Mexico High School and Northeast Missouri State University. During college he worked for the Kirksville Daily Express. In June 1955 he began working for NMSU as director of News Service. Over the next 38 years he held many positions at the university including Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs, Head of Division of Public Relations, Director of Public Services, Director of Governmental Relations and was the first Director of Human Resources. He retired in 1993.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and on various committees, the Masonic Lodge #366, United Way and the The American Red Cross. He also helped with little league and the Boy Scouts.

On August 19, 1955 he married Jacquelin Easley. They have three children, Kevin Harrison (Nancy Harrison) from Lees Summit, Missouri, Craig Harrison, and Lori Harrison Scott (Kevin Scott) from Raymore, Missouri. Two granddaughters Maggie Scott from Austin, Texas and Jackie Scott from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and one grandson Banks Born (Mallory Born) from Kansas City Missouri and one great grandson Boston Born. He was preceded in death by his brothers Jack Harrison and Cecil Harrison.

He loved his family, friends, gardening and antiquing with his wife.

A celebration of life will be held at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home on Friday, July 15, 2022, Visitation is at 1:00 with service to follow at 2:00. Interment will be at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Hurdland, Missouri.

Memorials in memory of Russ are suggested to First United Methodist Church, Kirksville, Missouri or Truman State University - Russell and Jacquelin E Harrison Scholarship Fund and can be left at or sent to the funeral home.

Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home; www.davisplaylehudsonrimer.com.