Arthur Lee "Rusty" Bricker, III

Rusty was born in East Cleveland, OH, but spent his entire childhood in Kirtland, OH. He spent some of those years with his mom and sister at his grandparents', Ida and Ernest A. Webbe's home, which was connected to Kirtland Grocery Store that his grandparents owned.

Rusty graduated from Kirtland High School in 1960 and then went to Graceland College in Lamoni, IA. While at Graceland he worked on his BA in Social Work before leaving college to join the Air force in 1963. He remained in the Air force through 1967.

In the Air Force he was an airplane mechanic. He traveled all around Europe, often stationed at a base but then doing temporary duty in other countries. He enjoyed taking leave and touring the country he was in or near by countries. His mother and her cousin joined him on one or two of his leaves to travel and visit Europe with him. One of his favorite bases was in Italy, where he met people who attended his childhood church. He often spent off duty time with them. Rusty served in Vietnam for three months in 1965. The Air Force was just starting to deploy there. Between working at AAA during his summer breaks in college and his travels in the service, he became interested in travel, near and far. This interest led to his favorite hobby when he became a family man, often taking the family camping in many other states.

Rusty graduated from Kent State University on the GI bill in 1970 with a BA in Social Work. He worked several years before being hired at Cuyahoga County Department of Family Services in the foster care department, where he worked many years. He then worked for Laketran as a bus driver. He enjoyed this job very much and stayed there for 17 years, retiring in 2012.

Rusty and Karen (Sowers) married in 1978. They soon started a family, adding first Jason and then adopting Adam. They lived on the east side of Cleveland for 25 years before moving to Painesville. The family enjoyed camping across America, visiting places Rusty had learned of when he planned trip tics for AAA clients. One summer they camped across the country to CA and back, taking different routes so they could camp in as many parks as they could with their pop-up camper. Often on the smaller trips, Rusty's sister, Dorothy, and her husband, Albert would join them on an adventure.

Rusty was in the big brother program before marriage to Karen and after retirement he drove for Meals on Wheels in Painesville. He was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ( he proposed to Karen in their Temple Gardens in Kirtland), Prince of Peace Church in Mentor and The Grove in Painesville where he enjoyed helping with their media program. Other interests besides camping and church were watching sports on TV, especially the CAVS, watching Westerns on TV, hiking in parks and in the neighborhood, and music. After many years of dementia, he went to live at Mapleview Country Villa in Chardon, where he lived for 16 months before peacefully passing away.

Rusty is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Karen (Sowers) Bricker, sons Adam Bricker and Jason Bricker-Thompson (Monica) and granddaughters Eileen and Hannah Bricker-Thompson and grandson Evyen Brown. He is also survived by sister Dorothy Harkrader of Adel, IA, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rusty was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia (Webbe, Bricker) Smith, stepfather, Paul Smith, father, Lee Bricker. half-sister, Sabre West, and half-brother, Mark Bricker.

The celebration of life service is May 16, 2026, from 3:00-6:00 at Jordan Creek Environmental Center at 7250 Alexander Rd., Concord, OH 44077

A short service will begin at 3:00 followed by visiting, snacks, and enjoying the park. Rusty enjoyed nature very much and this is our way to honor him.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lake Metroparks, 1121 Spear Rd., Concord Twp., 44077 or Continuum Care Hospice , 12380 Plaza Dr., Parma 44130