Brooks Rickard II

Brooks Craig “Moose” Rickard, II died June 10, 2022 at home and surrounded by family following a series of strokes. He was seventy-six.

He was born February 18,1946 in Hardtner, Kansas to Bessie (Crum) and Brooks C. Rickard. The family lived for a time in Dallas, TX before settling in Madison, Wisconsin where Craig graduated in 1964 from Madison West High School. Following high school he lived for a time in Kansas City, Madison, Detroit, Chicago, Tampa, Nashville, and Murfreesboro where he met his wife of forty-two years, Pamela Rene (Perkins) Rickard. In 1980 they settled in Olathe, Kansas where they remained.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jeanne Rickard Garrison. He is survived by his loving wife, Pamela, his sisters Janet McConnell, Nancy Jo Fast, and Sue Kilgore, his brother Robert Alan Rickard, seven children, eighteen grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Craig had many accomplishments throughout his life. In his early career he was a life insurance salesman and then one of the most successful regional sales managers for Redken, Inc. He was an entrepreneur whose various business ventures include a doughnut shop, auctioneering, antique sales, home security, carpet cleaning, music recording and what he would call precision gambling. He had a passion for pool. He was an excellent writer and storyteller and had a number of articles published in various trade journals. In his lifetime he starred in one promotional movie short and a few radio and television commercials. He was one of the finest lock and safe specialists in the country and was often called to open high security safes for the National Security Agency, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Defense, and various banks as well as some rather famous characters on the other side of the law. He served a term as President of the Missouri/Kansas Locksmith Association before retiring in 2007.

Craig was an excellent artist who mastered a variety of mediums including photography, pottery, oil painting, charcoal and pencil, wood carving, sculpting and pyrography. He was an irrepressible treasure hunter who loved nothing better than metal detecting, digging through flea market and thrift shop shelves, and examining coins in search of the one that would make him a millionaire. He started the first youth soccer league in Johnson County and he loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports. He also loved bird watching and watching old westerns on television. He loved to sing.

A lifelong Lutheran, Craig was an active member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Prairie Village, Kansas and was generous in sharing his many gifts and talents. In particular, Craig was a passionate promoter of the Saturday’s Miracle free community breakfast program and cherished the friendships that were forged there.

Craig will be remembered for his enthusiasm, his childlike sense of wonder, his quick wit and marvelous sense of humor, animated stories, deep smooth voice, endless knowledge and his love of nature. He was a warrior: quick to fight for what he believed in and dogged in striving for excellence. We will never forget the immense love and encouragement he gave us, the way he believed in us, or the joy he brought us. He was our teacher, our cheerleader, our mentor and friend.

A Memorial Service is being held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 9100 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, Kansas at 3:00 PM on Thursday, June 16th with visitation at 2:30 PM and a reception following the service. Live streaming on Zoom will be available for those who cannot attend in person. To receive a link please contact the church at 913-649-0438.

Inurnment will take place during a private ceremony at Johnson County Memorial Gardens on Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.  The fund is used to help members and friends in financial need.