Brett Dee Blades

Brett Dee Blades died Thursday, March 17, at his home in Rayville, Missouri. He died suddenly of a heart attack while working outdoors. He was 64.

Born November 27, 1957, in Colorado Springs, Brett was the oldest of six children born to Marian Kay (Jenkins) Blades and Duane Earl Blades. Brett grew up in midtown Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated from Westport High School, where he played tight end for the Westport Tigers Football Team as number 81.

Brett spent his career working in the printing industry in Kansas City and Dallas.

Brett loved the game of rugby and played as flanker for the Kansas City Rugby Football Club (KCRFC) and later for the Dallas Harlequins. Called “Bingo” by his teammates, Brett was known as a fierce competitor and a man of few words. He led both teams as captain and traveled with them to compete internationally. In 2018, Brett (#8001) was inducted into the KCRFC Hall of Fame.

He was a passionate fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Bryant’s Barbecue. A highlight of his life was traveling to Tampa in 2020 to see the Chiefs win the Superbowl.

In 1982, Brett married Kathleen Duffy. They had three children, Daniel, Callie and Mary, whom he adored beyond measure. They gave him four grandchildren, Gavin, Jake, Kaydence, and Rex.

Brett had a long struggle with the cunning, baffling and powerful disease of alcoholism. In his final years, he was graced with recovery, and found joy with his loving partner, Gina, on a small farm in Rayville, Missouri. There, with 4 horses, two dogs, some chickens, and the Richmond Alcoholics Anonymous group, Brett enjoyed the serenity of nature…and the joy of $2 online sports betting.

Brett lived his last 14 years as a double amputee. With his signature grit and resilience, he made the years after his amputations some of the most happy and active of his life, with travel, volunteer work, and sports like skiing, snorkeling, and pickle ball. He often joked about his prosthetics to make people feel more comfortable, once even on stage at a comedy club on open-mic night.

Brett is survived by his mother, Marian, siblings, Becky, Sandy, Jeff, Steve, and David, his children and grandchildren, and his partner, Gina.

He was preceded in death by his father, Duane and his nephew, Ryan.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the McGilley Chapel Midtown, 20 West Linwood, Kansas City, Missouri, 64111. Visitation: 5 to 6 p.m.; service: 6 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Kansas City rescue mission, ShelterKC, 1520 Cherry, Kansas City, MO, 64108. https://www.shelterkc.org/give/immediate-needs/. Please note that donations are made in honor of Brett Blades.