Russell "Russ" G. Hayden Obituary (1947 - 2020)

In the early morning of August 29, 2020, Russell "Russ" G Hayden (Rusty growing up), loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 73 after a 4 year long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Russ was born in Manchester, Tenneessee on July 16, 1947. He grew up with 4 other brothers, all born in different states but all close in age. One fond memory of Russ' that he talked about often was how many animals his family had while growing up. His father seemed to bring a stray dog home once a week. Russ learned the meaning of responsibility and his work ethic from his father as he helped often on that small plot of land. Even before graduating highschool, he spent his working life in the restaurant business. He started at the age of 16, with a small job of peeling onions. Eventually, he found himself working for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). While working at KFC, Russ met Debbie, who worked at a different KFC and went into his restaurant to pick up some chicken. On October 11, 1986, Russ married his wife, Debbie (Price) Hayden. Debbie's 3 sons were still very young boys when her and Russ married. He immediately stepped into the role of their father and treated them as if they were his own. In 1991, his only daughter was born. Russ' work had them move around the midwest often enough and in 1999 they settled in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. This is where he stayed with his family for the remainder of his life. Russ was known as the hardest working man that many knew. He took immense pride in his work. In earlier years, he spent some of his time working as a manager between various restaurants such as Beef and Barrel, Joe Joe's, and Bonanza. The majority of his work life was spent with KFC. He worked for KFC for 33 years in various positions. In 1985, he opened the Bloomington KFC on Prospect Rd., the very restaurant where he met Debbie. Down the road, he became a District Manager. Constantly on the move, he traveled often, toting his daughter along for the ride while managing multiple restaurants across central Illinois. For the last 13 years of his career with KFC he became a General Manager again, working at Bloomington's Market St location and finding himself primarily back at the Prospect Rd location. Even then, you could find him checking in on the other restaurants often and helping out where needed. Although he inspired anyone he crossed paths with, he truly gained a large work family at both Market and Prospect locations. Fondly referred to as "The Colonel" because of his striking resemblance to Colonel Sanders, he found fun in his work. He started permanently sporting a moustache and goatee. Russ found himself a white double-breasted suit and a cane and assumed the role as The Colonel for larger work meetings, making sure to even use baby powder on his already graying hair to make it white. If you gave Russ an inch, he'd turn it into a mile and give it back to you. Russ poured his heart into his career that provided for his family. Oftentimes his employees would have to drag him to the doors after closing, otherwise you'd find him there two hours later. He was not just hardworking, but loyal. Russ' integrity meant everything, even refusing discounts when he brought food home for the family. He always followed the rules. Russ' strict, but fun, demeanor always ensured his restaurants were up to code and ready for inspection. However, he always found a way to balance life and spend time with his family. This includes spending the day with his family on Thanksgiving only to drive to the Prospect restaurant in the middle of the night to prep coleslaw for the next day; or coming to his daughter's band concert dressed in his work clothes smelling like chicken, only to go back to work afterwards to close up the restaurant. For how busy of a man he was with work, his presence was always there in the most important of times. When Russ wasn't at work, you could find him at home watching an old western, a Hallmark movie, an action movie, or his current favorite TV show with a cat or dog faithfully by his side. He was a man of habit and consistency. He cycled through bouts of specific snacks like Bugles, Rold Gold Pretzels, orange candy slices, circus peanuts, and Lay's original potato chips. His drink of choice was always a can of Pepsi, no Coke brands or even other Pepsi products. If he wasn't munching on his snack of choice he'd have a golf tee or toothpick dangling from his mouth, many of which were found forgotten about in the clothes dryer. He enjoyed cooking at home as well. He liked showing off to his family by skillfully flipping eggs, completely removing the white off an egg yolk without breaking it, or preparing them however your heart desired. Russ insisted he had bad luck, yet found himself cracking open double yolk eggs more than anyone he knew (and making sure everyone knew about it). He unashamedly listened to the Golden Oldies radio station or one of his Kid Rock CDs while in the car. Russ was fond of using terminology that his kids lovingly referred to as "old man talk" such as things like "Cool beans" and "Right on". He called everyone dude, pal, or compadre. For how serious he took his work, he loved goofing around, making silly faces, and enjoyed making people laugh. He had a soft spot for animals, and while he was primarily a cat guy, the family Husky, Resonance (Res) grew on him and they became inseperable until the very end, forever splitting his corned beef hash with her. Many people say that someone is a gentle soul, but Russ truly was the epitome of one, as evident in his love for the movie Miracle on 34th Street. He had the kindest green eyes that told you he understood without having to say a word. He avoided confrontation at all costs and would give someone the shirt off his back. He believed in second chances (and third and fourth chances). With Russ you could feel wholly accepted, good and bad, and be treated with kindness and respect. He was a grandfather that adored his grandchildren, his soft side especially shining through when he held them as babies in his arms. Some people you think will live forever. Russ was stubborn, driven by his "go get 'em" attittude in every aspect of his life, not just work. He was someone you thought would live forever. Lewy Body Dementia robbed him of many things as it progressed, but he fought until the very end. The light and love he spread to his family will live on through them, their children, and so on and so forth. To those that loved him, he will forever walk alongside us. He will live forever, as long as our memories of him stay alive. Russ was preceded in death by his brother Jerry Hayden, father Richard Hayden, mother Blanche (Sargent) Hayden, and brother Harrold Hayden. He is survived by his wife Debbie (Price) Hayden (59) of Bloomington, Illinois, son Jeff (40), daughter-in-law Missy (34), granddaughters Alyssa (21) and Savannah (16), grandsons Bryson (11) and Eli (9), great-grandchildren Adilynn (4) Karson (3) Sylaus (2) Myles (6 Mos.) of Bloomington, Illinois, son Jeremy (38), daughter-in-law Danyel (39), granddaughters Abbigail (19) and Peyton (12) of Minooka, Illinois, son Jonathan (38), daughter-in-law Jenn (37), and granddaughter Madison (14) of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Daughter Katelynn (29) and son-in-law Demarcus (30), of Bloomington, Illinois, brothers Bob (74) of San Antonio, Texas and Nick (77) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. At this time, we are honoring Russ' wishes to not hold a funeral service or visitation. However, we heavily encourage you to share your condolences and fondest memories of Russ, so that his shining light may never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, you may also donate to the Lewy Body Dementia Association in Russ' honor by going to https://www.lbda.org/donate "My love for him will never end, till it's time to rest with him" - his loving wife, Debbie Until next time, ole man, cool beans.