Thomas Lyon Russell

Thomas Lyon Russell died on July 11, 2015 at the age of 97. The family will hold a private graveside service. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. He was born in Pittsburg, KS on November 14, 1917 to Walter and Florence Lyon.

He received a BFA from Bethany College in 1947, and the MFA from the Kansas City Art Institute, where he taught fifteen years. He studied under Thomas Hart Benton and John DeMartelli. During 1939-40, he studied at the Art Students' League in New York under Yasuo Kuniyoshi. He served in the Army Air Corp in England in WWII and studied there with Henry Moore. He joined the Baker University faculty in 1963 and was chairman of the Art Department until he retired in 1982.

His work has appeared in many shows including ones at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the University of Wichita, the Vincent Price Gallery in Chicago, and he Tyman Gallery in Santa Fe. Hundreds of his paintings are both private and permanent collections including the Spencer Museum at the University of Kansas. Over his career he has painted murals for the Folger Coffee Company headquarters in San Francisco; the Tropical Medical Research Center, San Antonio; Saint Francis Hospital, Wichita; The Officers' Dining Hall, Ft. Leavenworth, the Cultural Center of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library; the wall relief in the lobby of Rice Memorial Auditorium, on the Baker University campus; and in the lobby of the Baldwin State Bank. He also allowed prints to be made from his paintings, which were sold to support charitable causes, such as the Baldwin City Library fund and the Baldwin Lumberyard Arts Center.

He was married twice. He had six children with his first wife, Monica, who was his war bride from Wales. Monica died in 1974, and he married his friend and colleague Alice Ann Callahan in 1978. His children are Thomas (wife Irma), Jennifer, Spencer (Jeannie),, Fletcher (Carol), Pam (William), and Tracy (Michael). His grandchildren are Ameen Kern (Terra), Cassie Bergstrom (Jake), Mikelle Chavers (Aaron), Tally Russell, Nat Russell (Elizabeth) and Anna Zeilaski (Daniel), and Camille Sanandaji. Great grandchildren: Ella Russell, and Emily, Max and Jeb Kern.

His many friends, colleagues and former students will remember his kindness and thoughtfulness. His commitment to his craft as an artist and the encouragement he fostered is an example for all of us. The family wishes to thank the Visiting Nurses, especially Chris, and Helping Hands caregivers.

Private family interment was held at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Baldwin Lumberyard Arts Center c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, PO Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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Published by Lawrence Journal-World from Jul. 14 to Jul. 16, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Russell

11 Entries

Christine Doudna

July 8, 2023

Love and miss you, Tom
Christine Doudna

Christine Doudna

July 8, 2019

Still think of Tom so often, and love living with his paintings. Much love to all his family and friends.

Jennie Frederick

July 29, 2015

I am so sad to hear of Tom's passing. He had a special place in my heart & was my favorite art instructor. He taught me so much about color theory & how to see cool and warm colors. I carried that with me during the 30 some years I have taught & mentioned him often to my students. Hugs & love to the family.

July 17, 2015

Tom Russell was a great man. Loving and generous with his family and friends (who were legion), an extraordinarily gifted artist who painted every day until his body finally said no, Tom was warm, big hearted and completely fun to be with. He had the great good sense to fall in love with and marry the glorious Alice Ann Callahan, who, years after her death, remains beloved by so many. Together they inspired, enlightened and embraced so many thousands of Baker students, and beyond. Tom's paintings hold a place of honor in my home, as in homes across the country. He was a dear and beloved friend, and I shall miss him as long as I live.

Sandra Logan-Beaty

July 16, 2015

To all the Russells - you had a great dad, one who loved kids and always had time for us when we lived nearby on McGee. Tom would fire up the station wagon and troll the block for kids to take for ice cream. You guys always squeezed over and made room. And because I took an introductory class at Baker, I can attest to his quality as a teacher. He was truly one of a kind.

Dean and Judy Bevan

July 16, 2015

Tom was always an inspiring man to us, and would have been by his warmth and charisma alone, even if he were not the superb artist that he was. We're privileged to gaze at one of his finest paintings on our wall every day.

Greg Faulkner

July 15, 2015

I loved going back to Baldwin and stopping by to spend an afternoon with Tom. I loved to get Tom telling stories about his life and experiences. Whether it was an entertaining story about spending the summer with Thomas Hart Benton and Jackson Pollack on Cape Cod or how he was lucky to return from WWII, it was always fun...especially when he poured me a glass of wine. On a few occasions, I was fortunate enough to talk him into selling me several paintings off of the walls in his home. Those paintings are now hanging in my home and will always bring up great memories of Tom, as well as Alice Ann who first opened my eyes to art.

Melanie Farmer

July 15, 2015

What a great fortune to have had Tom as my teacher and guide for seemed such a brief time. He inspired many with humor and compassion.

marion roberts

July 14, 2015

A great, kind and gentle man. We have been blessed to have known him. Marion and Marcia Roberts

Penny Cagwin-Werkowitch

July 14, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Russell (Tom) was such a kind man. I am so glad I got to see him at the Maple Leaf Parade, so worth jumping off my horse to spend the afternoon with Tom, Pam and Jennifer.

Martha Harris

July 14, 2015

I first met Tom when he was creating his work in the entry to Rice Auditorium. My parent were in meetings there, so I kept sneaking out to just sit and watch him at work. He was so patient and nice to me - just some strange little kid. When our paths crossed years later, I found him to be just as kind and genuine. I admire his work and we'll sorely miss this wonderful man.

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