August 31, 2006

JAMES RUSSELL (RUSS) ALLEY
(3/6/1919 – 9/2/2006)

James Russell (Russ) Alley, 87, of Downing, MO, passed away at his home on September 2, 2006.

The son of James Ellis and Bertha (Johnson) Alley, he was born on March 6, 1919, in rural Lee’s Summitt, MO.

On May 17, 1940, in Lee’s Summit, MO, he was united in marriage to Hazel Mildred Pope and to this union three sons were born.

Surviving include his wife, Hazel Alley of Downing, MO; two sons, Ronald Alley of Downing, MO and Robert Alley and wife, Donna of Woods Heights, MO; one grandson, Todd Eric Alley; one great-granddaughter, Haili Alley of Lee’s Summit, MO; nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents; one son in infancy, James Russell Alley Jr.; one brother, Kenneth Alley and sister, Mary McCafferty.

Russ was engaged in farming all of his life having been raised on a farm in the Lee’s Summitt, MO area and then was a farmer for himself. He was also a self-employed truck driver. He and Hazel moved to the Downing, MO area just 14 years ago, and enjoyed the rural life in that area. Russ made friends easily, as he was a good neighbor who was willing to always lend a hand.

A visitation will be held at the Norman Funeral Home in Downing, MO, on Wednesday, September 6, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Memorials have been established for the Downing Fire Department of Downing, MO. The body was cremated and burial will be at a later date in Lee’s Summit, MO. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Downing, MO.