Russ left this world to join his beloved grandparents on October 31st in Springfield, MO after a short battle with cancer. Russ was born February 17, 1961 in Springfield, Mo to Neil and Linda (Hunter) Bangs. In 1968 Russ moved to Belton, MO with his parents. In 1972 he became a member of the Future Fire Fighter''s of America, maybe because his Dad was Assistant Fire Chief on the Belton Fire Dept. Russ graduated from Belton High School in May of 1979 having been a member of Belton Singer''s Glee Club and Drama club. He joined the United States Navy on an early entry program out of high school and was sent to San Diego, CA for boot camp and training in the Health Service Program. After he finished his training, he returned to Belton and married Karen Loless on March 8, 1980. The Navy sent them to Jacksonville, NC where Russ was stationed with the United States Marine''s at Camp Lejuene as a Navy Corpman. On January 23, 1981 Russ helped deliver his son, Dustin Allen at the base hospital; one of his proudest moments. After 6 years in the Navy, Russ returned to Belton and married Tina Foster on April 23, 1988 and became stepfather to Josh and Martina. Taking advantage of his Navy medical training, Russ became a state certified nurse''s assistant and worked in several senior citizen homes in the Belton, Grandview and Harrisonville area. On December 10, 1999, Russ married Sharon Marshall in Harrisonville, MO. They both went to work for the newly built Veteran''s Home in Mt. Vernon, MO where they made their home.
Russ enjoyed fishing and camping and took great pride in fishing the trout streams of the Colorado Rockies with his Dad and Grandfather Bangs. Russ was a member of the original Campbell Avenue Methodist Church and enjoyed spending summers at Camp Galilee in El Dorado Springs with his Aunt Jenny.
Russ was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Max and Virginia (Mercer) Hunter; his maternal great grandparents, Myrl and Inez (Arthur) Mercer; his paternal grandparents, Merwin and Mildred (Foster) Bangs; his aunt and uncle, Don and Norma (Foster) Dunn.
Russ is survived by his wife, Sharon of the home; his parents, Neil and Linda Bangs of Jerico Springs, MO; his son, Dustin and Dustin''s mother Karen Norris of Springfield; his aunts, Jenny Sweet and husband Greg, Dona Davidson of Springfield; his uncle, David Hunter and Pam of Springfield, 12 cousins and many friends, plus his best 4 legged buddies, Doc and Penny.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Klingner-Cope at Midtown, 1635 N. Benton. Graveside service is scheduled for Thursday, November 3 at 2 p.m. in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 3506 N. National.
Family has requested donations be made in Russ''s name to the S.W. MO Humane Society, 3161 W. Norton Road, Springfield, MO 65803.