Wayne E. Luff, 74, Russell, Kansas, died February 23, 2013 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

He was born January 27, 1939, the son of Wendell Sawers and Frances Eugenia Anderson Luff, in Independence, Missouri.  He was a 1956 graduate of William Chrisman High School, Independence.  He was an Army veteran serving from 1956 – 64.  He was a pipeline pilot before his retirement in 2007.  He was a co-founder of Luffland Industries, Bates City, Missouri.  He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the Experimental Aviation Association.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Devin Rae Luff, in 2005, and a sister-in-law, Linda Luff in 1999.

Surviving family include two sons and daughters-in-law, William W.  Luff and Linda Gillis, Odessa, Missouri, Barry L. and Kim Luff, Okinawa, Japan; a daughter and son-in-law, Amy L. and Don Petry, Grandville, Michigan; two brothers and sisters-in-law, John W. and Anina Luff, Odessa, Andy and Barbara Luff, Grandview, Missouri; six grandchildren, Zachary and Joshua Luff, Eagle River, Alaska, David Petry and Kayela Littrell, Odessa, Ciara and Chris Seals, Independence, Jennifer Lopez, Bellevue, Nebraska, Suzanne and Matt Kramer, Omaha, Nebraska; and seven great-grandchildren, Leah DeeAnn Luff, Makenna Lee and Devin Renee Seals, Gavin and Alyssa Kramer, Alexa and Cailey Lopez.

A Memorial Service was held Monday, March 4, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church of Odessa, with the Rev. Sam Fisher officiating.  A Memorial Service will be held at the Russell Municipal Airport in Russell, Kansas at a later date.

Family suggests memorials to the Russell County Area Community Foundation in support of children’s education.