John R. Russell
June 8, 1962 – March 29, 2025
John was born in Lubbock, Texas, to Patricia and Robert Russell. John attended Westside Schools. He graduated from The University of Nebraska-Omaha, and worked for 30+ years in software sales.
In 1991, John married Heather Stanway of Omaha. Together they had two girls, Sarah (31) and Nicole (28). He was always traveling for work and with his girls; Disney World was the favorite! He also loved watching Sarah & Nicole participate in summer and school activities. Summers were spent at the pool with family and friends and of course golfing. Anyone that knows John remembers his generosity, his love for Heather and the girls, concerts, horse races, his beaming smile, and strong hugs. John’s final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through organ donation. John, Johnny, JR, no matter what you knew him by, he was always welcoming and enjoyed life!
John was preceded in death by his father, Robert “Bob” Russell. He is survived by wife, Heather Russell; children, Sarah (Nick) Hovermale and Nicole Russell; mother, Patricia Russell; brothers, Steve Russell (Debbie) and Doug Russell (Jaime Smith); many nieces and nephews.
“It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away.” John Robert Russell
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday April 12, 2025, 1:00PM, Countryside Community Church, 13130 Faith Plaza, Omaha, NE 68144. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Westside Community Schools Foundation, 1101 South 90th Street, Omaha, NE 68124.
To view live broadcasts of the service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
29 Comments
we are very sorry.
May perpetual light shine upon you my friend and your soul rest in peace. We truly lost a great friend and nieghbor. We will miss you dearly my friend
We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Truly a guy who loved life.
I knew John for 45 years through gambling circles. I am very saddened by the news. What a fun guy he was ! RIP John. Condolences to everyone.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Our hearts are filled with sadness on your loss. John was such a great guy.
My thoughts and prayers to the entire family. Such sad news. I will remember John for his humor and always reaching out to stay in touch. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Our deepest sympathies to the Russell family during this difficult time. Our Lord’s grace and mercy will be with you and help with your healing journey.
Condolences to Heather and all of the Russell family. John always had a smile for you and brightened the room. He will be missed by many. May perpetual light shine upon John.
Heather – you any your family are in my prayers. I’m so sorry your incredible loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. John was always so kind and such a great friend to my dad (David). I’m so sorry for your loss!
So saddened to hear that John passed away. He was such a good friend of my brother’s and my whole family loved him. His hugs were legendary! Thinking of Heather and his two daughters.
We’re so sorry for your loss. Sending your family our deepest sympathy.
We are so , so sorry about John’s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. ❤️
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a “fun” loving guy who always took the time to talk when he’d run into me throughout the years. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
Heather, Sarah, Nicole, and Nick – we are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was such a joy to have around SCC for your plannings, tastings, and wedding day. You are all in our thoughts.
Sending all our love,
The SCC team
Prayers for your family. JR was so full of life. My fondest Memmory is that he taught me how to swing a golf club. I’m still golfing at 83+. RIP dear friend. You will live on in the hearts of all that knew you💕🙏🏻
I worked with at ACI with John. Anne Hoffman would set up lunches once in a while that included John and others from other departments Such great memories. John was a great man with a big personality as I especially remember from July 4th parties at OakHills Country Club. Great guy who will be missed. I also remember when I purchased a used white Ford Explorer and it was an Eddie Bauer edition. However the owner Had her name put where the Eddie Bauer name would have been. The very first day I parked that explorer in the parking lot at ACI , John said “hey this is my aunt’s Truck. That is when we became friends . Goon too soon prayers to the family
To Heather, Sarah and Nicole,
I was deeply saddened to hear of John’s passing. Our paths first crossed over a decade ago during our time at Retail Decisions, and I feel fortunate that they crossed again just last year. I was greeted by John’s warm smile, and we shared a wonderful conversation—naturally, it turned to family, Disney, golf and baseball, the things he loved most.
John was a genuinely kind and thoughtful person, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. May God bless him and bring comfort to you and your family during this difficult time.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Kevin Sprake
Dear Heather and family,
Although words feel inadequate at such a moment, I want you to know that my thoughts — and the thoughts of many colleagues at comforte — are with you and your family. We remember John not only as a valued colleague but as a person who left a lasting impression on all of us.
We wish you strength and comfort in these difficult days.
Our deepest sympathies to Heather & family. You could always count on JR to liven up the atmosphere. A trully nice guy who will be missed.
Our deepest condolences to Heather and the girls. Always a smile on his face and the people around him. God Bless J.R.
We are deelply sorry for your löss , Wishing you all the strenght possible.
My deepest condolences to Heather and family. John was funny, kind and generous, a true gentlemen with a heart of gold. He will be shortly missed RIP
Sending our deep condolences. I met John way back in the Retail Decisions days, when we were all selling and chasing targets. It wasn’t really until we all met up during the Presidents club trip to Monaco, that we cemented as friends. JR was holding court on the craps table, but still had time to coach the rookie players too (very successfully too I might add…thanks JR!) From then on we referred to him as ‘Uncle John’’! I very much looked forward to our annual meet-ups with John and Heather (usually in Vegas, during a conference!) where I would get a huge JR hug and then would enjoy a catch up for a few hours.
As John said, ‘it’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away’ Sadly, we did let this years meet up ‘get away’ …due to our own family loss. Something we will forever deeply regret. Heather, Sarah & Nicole, there will always be a warm welcome for you and your family here in the UK. We look forward to sitting and talking about the wonderful JR and how we miss him.
Heather, family, and friends,
We continue to keep you in prayer during this very difficult time. J.R. was a wonderful blessing to all around him with such a big heart. His fun and pleasant demeanor always made work and customer meetings so much better. He was like an uncle to me at work from the ACI days and then comforte, and I enjoyed his stories and wisdom shared.
Praying for peace and comfort, and celebrating J.R.’s life today as we join the live stream.
Lots of love and hugs,
Travers, Angel, Dominic and Eric
We are deeply saddened by John’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers of comfort and peace be with you, Heather, Nicole, and Sarah. May all of you happy memories fill you with hope. Our love
John was our neighbor for many years. I will miss standing in the street talking about nothing in particular. He always had a mug of , let’s say, refreshments, His big smile and terrific sense of humor. The celebration of life was one of the best I’ve attended.
And at my age that’s a lot. John, may you rest in peace. Heather,
I’m on the corner if you need something.
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