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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Russell D. Barefield
Russell D.
Barefield
Mar 22, 1952 — Jul 15, 2017
Minneapolis
Russell D. Barefield's Obituary
Russell Dean Barefield, 65, Minneapolis, died July 15, 2017, in his yard, where his spirit left his body and went to be in the protection of God until the return of Jesus Christ.
Russell accepted Christ as his Savior as a child and was confirmed in the Lutheran Church as a teen. He was a man of simple faith and believed in the virtues of right and wrong. His wife of 20 years, Melanie, and son Nick are also believers and look forward to joining Russell for eternity.
Russell was born in 1952 to Robert Boyd Barefield and Marilyn Olive (Price) Barefield in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended grade school in Houston, Texas, and explored in the local swamps and bayous, bringing many snakes and critters home, to his mother's dismay. He attended junior high and high school in Minneapolis, KS, was active in sports and plays, and was a member of the chess club. He was a starter on the varsity basketball team. Senior year, his dad paid him $5 for every basket after he'd scored 18 points, and his father paid dearly. He graduated from MHS in 1972 and KSU in May 1991.
Russell owned and operated Laurel Lanes Bowling Alley, Minneapolis, for many years. Bowlers remember his gruff voice and stogie cigar as he ran the counter, repaired bowling balls, disciplined their children at the pinball machines, and yelled at Phil Morris to reset lanes. He worked on the line, in the cabinet shop, as Human Resource manager, and as a designer at El Dorado Motor Coach, Minneapolis. He often lamented that while everyone he hired remembered him, he had hired so many people at El Dorado over the years that he could never put a face and a name together. He was part owner of a sand pit and Designs in Motion, a semi truck cab fabrication company. It wasn't until 1992, when he began working as a product designer for Great Plains in Salina, Kansas, that he discovered his gift for engineering. He loved working for Great Plains/LandPride Division and recently celebrated 25 years.
A confirmed bachelor of 40+ years, Russell began to really enjoy his life when he met and married his wife, Melanie Watson, and their son, Nick, was his pride and joy. Russ loved working on his house and lawn, spending time with his family, and traveling. He was proud to say he had been to every state in the U.S. and a few foreign countries and was always amazed that more people didn't explore the magnificence of the United States of America. Even in death, he will be a K-State Wildcat fan, but he was a recent convert to Melanie's Wichita State Shockers, and thanks to Nick, a traveling fan of Central Christian College, McPherson. He was a member of the Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Psi, the Lutheran fraternity at K-State, and would recommend the experiences he garnered there to anyone attending KSU.
His sister, Robin, who says he was a wonderful brother to his older brother, Bruce, and the heart and soul of their family, recalls the many times Russell sat with their father and debated the fine points of a particular moment in history. He was a tall figure of a man who lived a big life. He will be missed for his many talents by many, but all who pray to know the Lord as their Savior will have a chance to enjoy his company again in Heaven. "Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In your name, amen."
Russell was preceded in death by his faithful dog Bruno; his parents, Robert and Marilyn Barefield; and his brother, Bruce Barefield. He is survived by his wife, Melanie Watson Barefield; his son Nicholas Barefield; his sister Robin Barefield and husband Mike Munsey; his nieces Andrea Barefield, Gisela Grigg and husband Steve; his great-nephew Tyler Grigg and great-niece Kaysie Grigg; and his sister-in-law Karen Barefield.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 28, at Russ and Melanie's residence. Private family graveside service will be at Highland Cemetery the following day. A memorial service will be scheduled this winter, when Alaskans Robin and Mike are able to travel to Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Russell D. Barefield Memorial Fund.
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