Russell Patrick "Rusty" Denes left this life on January 7, 2022. He passed while in University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, after a brief stay due to COVID. This was exacerbated due to his COPD and issues from the chemicals that he worked with for many years.

Born on June 2, 1956 to Marjorie "Marge" and Frank Denes in Kansas City, Missouri. Rusty was a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area. He attended Visitation school and Church. He attended Bryant Elementary School and Bingham Junior High School Rusty graduated from Southwest High School in 1974. He then attended K-State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in Landscape Horticulture, in 1978.

Rusty was passionate and knowledgeable about many things, especially music and trees. He worked for Siler Lawn and Garden and Siler Sod Company, for a few years. That catapulted him to start his own lawn and tree business. Rusty owned and operated Denes & Co. Lawn and Tree Care, which he opened in 1983; he owned and worked there for about 35 years. He worked alongside his brother Mark. His love for trees stems from several large pine trees surrounding the family home. He could be seen and heard in the trees on many occasions. He could see for miles up in our family's trees.

Rusty was an avid mountain dulcimer player, he was a member of the "Prairie Dulcimer Club", that met monthly in Independence, Missouri. Rusty experienced great joy by playing at Crown Center in the weeks before Christmas. He spent many summers attending the Walnut Valley Festival and Flat-picking contest in Winfield, Kansas Music.

Rusty never met a stranger; everyone that he met became a friend that he could share his love of music and trees among many other things.

Rusty loved to BBQ and smoke meats. There was a time that he BBQ'ed and smoked meats every year for many years for many friends and families. His BB QUE and smoked meats were always tender and juicy! He kept a BBQ grill on his front porch to cook and smoke meats as often as he could.

Rusty taught at MCC Metropolitan Community College at the Longview Campus. He also taught at several different "Job Corps" locations.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, in 2015 that forced him to close his business and retire. After retirement, he enjoyed working out at The Parkinson's Exercise and Wellness Center; he was their "poster person. He was to begin being one of their coaches, till the COVID lock down.

Preceded in death by Marge and Frank Denes; brother, Mark; sister, Janet; nieces Debbie Denes and Amanda Wilson.

Survived by siblings Bob (Sarah) of Prairie Village, KS, Ron (Susie) of Nashville, TN, Michelle Crawford (Bruce) of Kansas City, MO, Christine (Tina) Phillips (Allen) of Kansas City, MO, and Joe (Lori) of Glen Elder, KS. as well as many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. More details to come. Memorial donations may be made to The Parkinson's Exercise and Wellness Center Mail: 3665 W 95th St Overland Park, KS 66206, online: www.thepewc.org or call 913-276-4665 or to the Knights of Columbus Care of the Denes foundation for scholarships for Visitation Catholic school. Please do these in his name.