William "Jeff" Jeffrey Bricker

Born on January 2, 1958, Jeff lived a full and adventurous life devoted to agriculture, livestock, and international cooperation.

A 1976 graduate of Hawken High School in Gates Mills, Ohio, Jeff went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Systems, Economics and Management from Michigan State University in 1981. During his time at MSU, Jeff was a proud member of the Farmhouse Fraternity, where he cultivated lifelong friendships and a deep commitment to agricultural excellence.

Jeff was the beloved son of William H. Bricker and Doris A. Bricker. He was married for five years to Mary Roland Hammet, with whom he had one son, Jonathan Bricker, who sadly predeceased him. Jeff is survived by his sister, Susan Vujovich and her husband Mark Vujovich; brothers, Thomas Bricker and Patrick Bricker; nieces Alexa Vujovich and Sarah Bricker; and nephews Daniel Bricker and William Bricker.

Throughout his remarkable career, Jeff worked in a variety of roles that reflected his passion for cattle breeding and ranch management. From 1981 to 2001, he managed Bear Creek Angus Ranch in Cameron, Montana, where he built a renowned purebred Angus herd and oversaw 11,000 acres of grazing and farmland. He later managed a ranch in Oklahoma before transitioning to international construction management.

His work with Mid-Atlantic Homes, LLC took him to Erbil, Iraq, where he spent over three years bridging U.S. and Kurdish interests, and building lasting friendships with Kurdish and Turkish colleagues despite the dangers of the region.

Jeff continued his agricultural pursuits back in the U.S. as Farm Manager at COGI Farms in Pawling, NY, and later Greenane Farms in Delhi, NY. His groundbreaking role as Genetics Project Manager in Xi’an, China—managing a Wagyu-Yak breeding program—reflected his innovative spirit and deep knowledge of animal science.

From 2015 to 2023, Jeff served as Reproductive Specialist at Vintage Angus Ranch in Modesto, CA. Most recently, he was the Wye Program Manager at the University of Maryland’s Wye Research and Education Center, where he made a lasting impact on one of the nation's leading agricultural research programs.

Jeff will be remembered as a loving and caring brother, uncle, and friend. He was a man of authenticity, sharp wit, and unwavering dedication to his work and those he loved. His absence leaves a deep void in the hearts of his family and all who knew him. Jeff’s legacy of generosity, integrity, and hard work will live on through all he touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to:

University of MD Foundation, Inc.

Attn: Donna McKenzi

3300 Metzerott Road

Adelphi, MD 20783

Memo Line: Wye Angus (01-40013)

A memorial service for Jeff will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225, followed by a reception & celebration of life gathering from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.