Ricky Brant

Ricky Lee Brant, 59, of Oldfield, Mo., died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, at Cox Medical Center South.

He was born July 19, 1954, in Cape Girardeau to Virgil "Smokey" and Ruby Kinder Brant.

He attended Illmo-Scott City High School and graduated in 1973. Following high school, he was employed as a deck hand on tow boats that navigated the Mississippi River. He then worked as a wallcovering installer and traveled over the country with his job.

While in Connecticut he met Patti Bruce, and they were married Aug. 5, 1989, in Stratford. They made their home there until 1993, when they moved to Branson, Mo., then to Oldfield in 1995. He was self-employed as a wallcovering installer until becoming disabled in 2009.

Rick had a very charismatic personality and was always the life of the party. His great sense of humor, outgoing personality and resourcefulness made him well-liked and a friend to all. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, collecting antiques, oil painting and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Patti Brant of Oldfield; three sons, Cody Brant of Oldfield, Matt Venable and wife Amie of Scott City, and Steven Albert and wife Samantha of Derby, Conn.; his mother, Ruby Brant of Wappapello, Mo.; and four grandchildren, Matthew Brant, Jace Albert, Rylee and Chloe Venable.

He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers, Terry and Kenny Brant.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home in Forsyth, Mo.