Russell Linthicum

Russell Linthicum, 68, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Sunday, January 30, 2022, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.      

Russell James was born on December 2, 1953, in Maryville, Missouri, the son of Earl James and Lillian Florence (Semmons) Linthicum.  He grew up in Maryville and Tarkio, Missouri and Shenandoah, Iowa.  Russell enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November of 1972, and received his basic training in San Diego, CA.  He served his country in Vietnam as part of the mortar platoon and was honorably discharged in March of 1979, attaining the rank of Lance Corporal.  Russell was proud to have been able to serve his country. 

Following his time in the service, he returned to Shenandoah and worked at Farm Master and later at Mt. Arbor Nurseries, starting as a laborer and later as a mechanic.  He was united in marriage to Lillian Tolby and later, Patsy Boone.  Russell later moved to Syracuse, NE to be near his daughter, Stasha and started his 20 years plus career as a master mechanic at Cargill.  He retired due to health concerns in 2013, and moved to Atlantic, Iowa, to be closer to family. 

Russell loved anything to do with motorcycles and hotrods, from working on them to going on rides.  He and his son, Jimmy even built a Monte Carlo from the ground up, starting with just a pile of parts.  All the family knew that you never called during WWE nights; there was nothing that would take his attention away.  Russell looked forward to getting together with family and friends and drinking a few cool ones; movies with his friend, Bradley Francois; and being outdoors enjoying fishing and gardening–he had quite the green thumb!

To say Russell was hard to read was an understatement.  When first meeting him he was a bit intimidating due to the fact that he spoke loud with his deep voice and never let you see any emotion.  Once you got to know him you would soon realize that he had an infectious laugh that seemed to come out more after he had played one his pranks.  He was always up to something including throwing bottle rockets at you under the bathroom door, YIKES!

Russell is survived by his sons, Rusty Linthicum of Syracuse, NE and Jim Linthicum of Atlantic, IA; daughter, Stasha (Manuel) Antunez of Syracuse, NE; grandchildren, Derrik Linthicum, Dylan Linthicum, Emily Linthicum, Natalie Linthicum, Alexander Linthicum, Nicole Linthicum, Noah Linthicum, Bentley Linthicum, Santos Antunez, Matteo Antunez and Mayra Antunez; sister, Julia (Mark) Daughtery of Rock Port, MO; and nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Lillian Linthicum; brothers, Steve, David and Leland Linthicum; sister and brother-in-law, Janice (Francis “Duby”) Duben; and grandson, Isaac Linthicum.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Friday, February 4, 2022, at Roland Funeral Home.  A light lunch will be served during the visitation.  Burial, with military honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and the Van Meter American Legion Post#403, will be held at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery at 2:00 p.m., Friday.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Russell’s family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.