Russell H. “Redeye” Salyer, Jr.

Russell H. “Redeye” Salyer, Jr., passed away peacefully in his sleep July 21, 2023, at his home in Lexington, Kentucky. Russell was born February 20, 1941, to Russell H. Salyer and Edna Mae Holbrook in Lexington. He is survived by a brother, Henry (Marty) Salyer; daughter, Susan Whitehurst; former wife and best friend, Debbie Salyer; stepdaughter, Melody Bennett; sister-in-law, Shirley Montague; nieces Megan (Galen) Linville, Andrea (Andrew) Sosby, Mary Ann (Chris) Grigsby, Patty (Jack) Sharp; nephews, Billy (Barbara) Montague, Tommy (Vicki) Montague; grandsons, Jonathan Osborne, Zachariah Whitehurst; and granddaughter, Crystal Parks. Russell also leaves behind many special friends who he considered a part of his family, including Kevin and Cameron Heathcoat, and their children, Stella and Herrington, as well as Athena and Isaac Kern.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, William Montague, and many of his longtime friends.
Redeye is best known for the forty odd years he bartended at the Chevy Chase Inn in Lexington. His colorful life also included a stint as a bookmaker which gained him fame but not much fortune. Redeye was an avid reader, enthusiastic cribbage player, and sports buff. He loved history and could tell you many little-known facts about a wide range of subjects. He never met a stranger and made it a point to make everyone feel like they were special. Russell loved to tell stories (some true and others not so true, as he liked to say) and was forever the jokester. His quick wit and easy laugh brightened the lives of many people.
Russell will be buried in the family plot at Hillcrest cemetery in Lexington. A celebration of life will be held at a later date at Chevy Chase Inn in Lexington.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Lexington Public Library. Hinton-Turner Funeral has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.hintonturner.com