April 2, 2019

Linn County News

Published April 3, 2019

Rick Earl LaMar, 62, of Highlandville, Mo., passed away March 8, 2019, in Springfield, Mo. He was born Dec 20, 1956, in Olathe, Kan., to Harvey and Eva LaMar.

He grew up in Olathe and Paola, Kan., later moving near Branson, Mo., where he built roller-coasters for Silver Dollar City, joined a group of cowboys, rode stagecoach, and did charitable work with children. One of his favorite things to do was giving a cowboy hat to a kid.

Rick was preceded in death by his father Harvey LaMar; sister Ruth Marie LaMar Fuller; and by Chere’ Keithley.

He is survived by the love of his life, Jody Wheat of Branson West, and her grandson, Joel Keithley; mother Eva (John) Frazee of La Cygne, Kan.; brothers, Bud (Brenda) LaMar of Olathe, and Jerry (Elaine) LaMar of Bellingham, Wash.; children Carrie (Tim) Hough, Chris (Melanie) LaMar, and Kyle (Jolene) LaMar, all of Ottawa, Kan., Missy (Tanner) Butler of Rantoul, Kan., and Jennifer (Chad) Owen of Arkansas; and 18 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, many friends, Cowboy partners and beloved horse Chester.

Rick was a cowboy, so don’t dress up for his funeral. Instead of flowers, we suggest contributions to www.cowboyswhocare.org. Scroll to Latest News for Wrangler Rick LaMar; click tab to donate in his memory.

Services will be by Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne, Kan., on Saturday, April 20. Visitation will be at noon, funeral at 1 p.m. Burial will immediately follow, Brooklyn Cemetery, La Cygne.