Russell Kyle Kirkland
Russell Kyle “Russ” Kirkland, 68, of O’Fallon, MO, passed on to his heavenly home Saturday, May 11, 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Patti Kirkland; children Sean (Madeline) Kirkland, Jeremy (Elizabeth) Kirkland, and Trevor Kirkland; grandchildren Mabel and Rosie Kirkland and Harriet and Russell Kirkland; siblings Doug (Angie) Kirkland, Dale (Steve) Tiemann, and Jeanna (Curt) Taipale; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends and brothers and sisters in Christ that he met during his tenure as associate pastor at the Crossing Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Marie Kirkland.
Russ was born October 28, 1955, in Victoria, Texas. The oldest of four children in a loving, tight-knit, musically gifted family, Russ spent his early years singing and playing guitar and piano with his siblings and at church. He also loved writing, drawing, and looking for adventure.
In the early 1960s, Russ moved with his parents and siblings to St. Louis, and after high school graduation in 1974, he enrolled at Oklahoma Baptist University. In addition to his classes, Russ continued to sing and play music as much as he could. Every week, he traveled three hours round trip from OBU to Oral Roberts University to practice in the campus music hall with Sycamore, a band he was producing. One weekend in spring 1976, Sycamore’s female vocalist invited her friend and fellow ORU student Patti Pitts to come watch them practice. It was the first time Patti saw Russ, but more importantly, it was the first time she heard the voice that she fell in love with. They became friends and stayed in touch while he toured that summer. By the fall, Russ left OBU to pursue music full-time; around this time, he started pursuing Patti full-time, too. After 18 months of dating, Russ and Patti wed on January 21, 1978, in Youngstown, Ohio, then settled in St. Louis to start their family.
In the 1980s, Russ wrote and produced record albums and toured college campuses with September, his band, his brother Doug and sister Dale. During this time, Russ also produced and recorded other bands and artists, wrote a musical with Dale, and traveled and performed with the late musician Dan Peek of the band America.
In 1994, Russ started to notice physical symptoms that impeded his ability to play the piano and guitar. After nearly a year of seeking answers, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the young age of 38. Around this time, Russ and Patti joined a young start-up church called Windsor Crossing (now known simply as The Crossing). Russ served an integral role in developing their music ministry and later became one of the associate pastors until his retirement in 2014. One of his most significant contributions is Explorations, a class that invites newcomers to The Crossing to explore their faith and “ask the questions you thought you couldn’t ask in church.” Explorations is still offered at The Crossing to this day.
Those who knew Russ best will remember him as a gifted communicator and storyteller. He possessed the gift of evangelism and shared his faith as easily as breathing. He loved tuna sandwiches and malts, wearing a bandana when he cleaned, and inviting anyone and everyone over for dinner at the last minute. Despite his myriad and varied professional accomplishments, he was never more proud than in his role as husband to Patti and a gentle, caring, and sensitive father to their three sons and their families.
A memorial service will be held at The Crossing at Chesterfield, 114 N Eatherton Rd., Chesterfield on Sunday, June 2. Doors open at 3 p.m., and the service starts at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Patti, words fall short ❤️🙏✝️
Russ was a wonderful man, husband, father, musician and friend. He well be greatly missed but we’ll see you soon Russ!
What a great and wonderful man.
We loved our time with your family at Parkwood Christian Church. Being in the choir, participating in the cantatas, having your boys in my Sunday School classes as well as VBS…. fun memories. We are rejoicing with you that Russ is once again whole and able to sing and praise our Lord with all the angels and saints!
I believe God put some people on this earth to be angels. Russ was my angel. He brought me back to my faith and Jesus Christ, my Savior. From the minute I stepped into the then Windsor Crossing church in the Chesterfield YMCA, Russ came up and grabbed me to say this isn’t any church you have been used to, I knew I had gained a great friend. He got me involved in church service and invited me into his and Patti’s small group.
Russ and I had meals together, with great conversations that gave me love, grace, and wisdom. Just not on the golf course! LOL. A little over a decade ago, Russ stepped into my life when I was at my very lowest point. After numerous personal losses, Russ called and said let’s meet for dinner. Once again, he offered me the love, grace, and wisdom he had learned from the word and began my recovery from my anxiety and depressive state at the time.
Yes, Russ was truly my angel from God. I truly believe that. He brought along another angel in Patti, who I served with in the Children’s Ministry at The Crossing for over a decade. I know God welcomed Russ with, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Patti this is a lovely tribute for a wonderful man. The Lord used Russ mightily while here on Earth and now he is reunited with our loving Almoghty Father. Thank you for being a role model wife and couple. I’m praying for you all
Russ was truly special. He carried God’s grace effortlessly and made us all feel appreciated at The Crossing.
Meeting Russ and Patti in the summer of 2017 was a real privilege. I got to live in their home while running soccer camp. Russ wasnt able to say much at the time but i felt so comfortable in his presence. He had such a warmth about him that was inviting while also sending almost as a sign of approval and commissioning. May the great memories stay with you Patti and the rest of the family. God Bless from Cape Town, South Africa
Russ was our Pastor and our friend. We loved him. He married us and I’ll never forget how he made us laugh during the ceremony. He’ll always be our Pastor. And I’ll always smile when I remember him. Thank you for being in our lives.
Don & Nancy
Oh my goodness Patti he was such a wonderful man. He was so kind and sweet and has been there for me and my family since we started at Windsor. He helped me with the decision to become a Christian counselor, and how to best use my gifts, but most importantly he was there by our side when I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He prayed with me and visited me and the day of the surgery, as I waited to go under he was on one side of me and my husband on the other. I will never forget that. You 2 are such an amazing couple and role model to so many. I know he is happy, singing and visiting with everyone in heaven right by Gods side, but as someone else said until we meet again he will be missed. We love you.
Russ was an integral part of my renewing my faith in Jesus. He supported and mentored my stepping into worship leading. He was lovely and a true reflection of Christ. Sending all the love❤️
Glenn and I were blessed to be a part of Sycomore with Russ and introduce Patti to him. They made a wonderful team and shared their faith throughout their life. This is a beautiful tribute to a life well lived and a marriage and family beautifully expressed. May you rest peacefully, Russ.
Reading these testimonies confirm the kind of Godly man Russ was. He lived out all his roles as husband, father, pastor, musician and friend in ways that Christ led him. His love for God was authentic! It was our pleasure and blessing to have you and Russ live with us while your home was being remodeled. We didnt know each other well but your love for Jesus was and is so evident. I only wish we had known Russ before it was hard for him to speak. He had so much to say and it was all worth listening to❤️. I will never forget his impish, quirky smile. It is so reassuring knowing we will all see one another again. We ate praying for you and your family