.Russell Ellington Thompson transitioned from this life on November 10, 2020 after complications from Covid-19. Russell was born to Kenneth Poole Thompson and Willa Mae Murray Thompson on February 22, 1935 in Topeka, Kansas. He was the only child from this union. Russell attended the Topeka Public Schools in Topeka, Kansas. Russell was raised for most of his life by his paternal grandparents, Earl and Cecelia Garrett. Russell attended Shiloh Baptist Church with his Grandparents. He joined church and accepted Christ at a young age. From a very early age Russell loved the sound of beating on pots and pans. Eventually, his grandparents put him in drum lessons. Russell was given a drum pad to practice the basics of drumming, until around 1944 when he was given his first set of drums from family friend, Irving Burton. Russell would listen to records and play along on his drums. Neighborhood children would sit outside his window and listen to him play the drums. Sometimes, he would invite them in to listen to him play and show them some of his techniques. Drummer, Howard Bradley, was one of those aspiring musicians who loved to listen to Russell play. By the year 1960, Russell was playing the drums professionally with The Whalers Band. Russell earned his union card from the Topeka Association Music’s Local No. 665. Throughout his life Russell played with many well-known musicians such as Forrest Slaughter’s quintet, Matley Smith and His Sharps and Flats, Alberta Knight, Ralph Bryant, Clinton Bryant and many others. Russell also played drums for his home church, Shiloh Baptist Church until he was no longer able to play. Russell enjoyed listening to baseball. His favorite team was, The St. Louis Cardinals. You would usually see Russell walking around town with a baseball or drum sticks or both. He also loved making scrapbooks of musicians. Russell was lovingly called “Moto” by his friends. In 1965, Russell’s grandmother, Mrs. Cecelia Garrett died and close family friend, Barbara Burton Leal became his legal guardian. She looked after Russell as if he were her own child. When Barbara was no longer able to be his guardian, Patricia Leal-Mack, daughter of Barbara Leal, became his legal guardian until his passing. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Willa Mae Thompson, Grandparents Earl and Cecelia Garrett, and his longtime guardian, Mrs. Barbara Leal. He leaves to mourn, special cousins, Caralee Peters and Paulette Canady-English of Topeka, Kansas, and Winifred Garrett and Brenda Johnson of California, Patricia Leal-Mack, Diane Leal, and Deborah Dirden of Houston, Texas, The Burton and Leal Family members who were like his family, close childhood friend Elaine Rigsby, a host of cousins and a multitude of friends who loved him.