Johnny Marsh Rickart

Johnny Marsh Rickart (Big John), 81, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly at North Kansas City Hospital on November 29, 2023. Johnny was born in Liberty, MO on October 3, 1942 to Harry (Bill) and Dorothy Rickart. He was a 1960 graduate of Smithville High School.

After graduation, Johnny enlisted and proudly served his country for the next four years in the United States Navy on the USS Compass Island. Johnny and Patty met and married in 1965 and together they raised four children. Johnny became a firefighter with the North Kansas City Fire Department where he quickly worked his way up to Captain. He then started his career as a “Teamsters Local 41” over-the-road truck driver with CF (Consolidated Freightways) where he was awarded multiple awards for his safe driving and was also awarded the Million Miler Award, which was a huge accomplishment. He was well known far and wide by his CB handle, “BULL RIDER”.

Johnny managed and ran the American Royal Feed Room for over 35 years. During that time, the Feed Room was always the place to be. Once a year, not only did people come from all over the world to show their animals and compete, they came to catch up and BS with Johnny. Johnny was recognized by the UPHA for years of Distinguished Service.

Johnny enjoyed farming and was very well known for his love of mules. He was the founder of The Missouri Mule & Donkey Circuit. He participated and helped run the Missouri State Fair Mule show for years. He owned and drove many teams of horses and mules over the years that were hitched up to his custom-made and antique wagons in parades, events, and shows. He also hauled numerous celebrities and politicians with his mule teams.

Johnny didn’t know a stranger and was a friend to all no matter where he went. He always seemed to run into someone he knew. He always had a good story to tell and a smile on his face. Johnny loved old westerns, RFD TV, and rodeos. He enjoyed watching his friends and neighbors carry on his passion of stock car racing. He could always be found talking with his friends and family, especially his grandkids and his great grandkids.

He loved to say he helped Patty with the garden, so he could turn around and give away her tomatoes, peppers, and beans because her garden always produced an abundance.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Harry (Bill) and Dorothy Rickart; his brother, Billy Joe; his sister, Sally Ann; and his nephew, Scott.

Johnny is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Patty) of 58 years, his sister, Betty Majors of Kansas City, MO; his 4 children, John (Jill) Rickart of Rayville, MO, Rhonda (Jim) Stevenson of Excelsior Springs, MO, Billy (GiGi) Rickart of Huntsville, MO, and Amanda Lawrence of Kansas City, MO; 10 grandchildren, Alexandra Rickart, Derek Rickart, Victoria (Simon) Pontin, Shania (Dillon Johnson) Rickart, Miranda (Donald Fessler) Rickart, Sativa Rickart, Clay Stevenson, Will Lawrence, Rileigh Lawrence and Ireland Becker; 4 great-grandchildren, various other family, friends, loved ones and his beloved mule, Nellie.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Church Archer Pasley Funeral Home, 119 East Franklin Street, Liberty, Missouri 64068.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Johnny’s name to The Lathrop Antique Showgrounds in c/o Jim Plowman, P.O. Box 335, Lathrop, MO 64465.