Russell “Rusty” Jay McDowell passed away on January 15, 2021 at Wesley
Medical Center in Wichita, KS, at the age of 66. He was born on October
27, 1954 to Garold and Colista (Price) McDowell in Smith Center, KS. He
married Linda (Walters) McDowell in Hays, KS on September 18, 1982. They
were blessed with three sons: Stuart, Bryce, and Brock.
Rusty grew up in Kirwin, KS. He graduated from Eastern Heights High
School with the Class of 1972 and attended North Central Kansas
Technical College in Beloit, KS. He then worked as a contract pumper in
the oilfield for 20 years and also farmed and had cattle. Rusty enjoyed
farming and cattle, fishing, camping, and going to the lake, and he
loved to spend time with his family and grandkids.
Rusty is survived by his wife Linda of the home in Plainville; sons,
Stuart McDowell of Mulvane, KS, Bryce McDowell of Plainville, and Brock
(Jill) McDowell of Plainville; brother, Kevin (Linda) McDowell of Agra;
sisters, Pat (Larry) Brunow of St. Francis, KS, Sherry (Terry)
Griffiths of Lincoln, NE, and Anita Hiler of Henderson, KY;
sister-in-law, Connie McDowell of Highland Ranch, CO; 7 grandchildren
(plus one on the way), Brooke and Mercedes McDowell, Bradyn, Brynlee,
Mason, and Caden McDowell, and Jaxon McDowell and Chase (on the way);
and 2 great-grandchildren, Cooper and Thea Pater.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Garold and Colista McDowell;
brothers, Neal McDowell and Gene McDowell; and brother-in-law, Mel
Hiler.
Always willing to help someone out, Rusty was a kind-hearted man who
worked hard, enjoyed life and cherished his family and friends.
Although he was taken from us far too soon, we know that those we
enjoyed and loved, we can never lose, for all that we love deeply
becomes a part of us. We can smile because he lived and left us with
cherished memories that will live forever in our hearts. He will be
greatly missed and remembered in love.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 21,
2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville,
KS. Burial will follow at the St. Severin Cemetery. Visitation will be
held on Wednesday 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a family Rosary at 7:00
p.m. at the funeral home in Plainville. The service will be
livestreamed.
Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and may be
sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville,
KS 67663.