Rick Lee Balmas, 72, of Stotts City, MO, left this world for his heavenly home on Sunday morning, April 7, 2024 while at his residence.

Rick was born on April 16, 1951 in Monett, MO, son of the late Jack and Frances (Diotte) Balmas. He graduated from East Newton High School with the class of 1969. From a young age, Rick was blessed with a natural artistic talent. He was a great artist in school and hadwonseveralawardsfor his drawings. Throughout his life, he was also an avid fisherman and hunter, including arrowheads. He enjoyed restoring old cars and had a passion for dirt track racing. He and his brother Russ and close friend Richard Heller were known as the Killer B’s. Rick and Russ had cars named B-52 and B-29.

Rick worked most of his adult life as a heavy equipment operator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 101, Kansas City. He was employed by Herzog Contracting, St. Joe, Mo, Hamilton-Patton Construction, Mt. Vernon, and Connely Plumbing, Springfield.

On December 30, 1970, Rick married Joanna Landreth. To this union, two children were born. Joanna passed away on January 21, 1992. Rick later found his partner in life, Janell Ann Palmer.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; one brother, Jerry Balmas; and one grandson, Dylan Lee Mark.

Survivors include his wife, Janell Balmas, of the home; one son, Scott Mark, of Springfield; one daughter, Jennifer Sickinger and husband Joe Livingston, of Springfield; two stepdaughters, Stacy Larson, of Stotts City and Daphne Brown and husband Jared, of Oronogo; one brother, Russ Balmas, of Monett; five grandchildren: Oscar and Ethan Sickinger, of Springfield, Steven and David Brown and Jacoby Taylor, all of Oronogo; nephews: Derrick Balmas of Webb City, Dustin Balmas of Toledo, IA and Jake Balmas of Columbia; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Rick’s life was held at 7 p.m. on Friday, April12,2024atBuchanan Funeral Home with Pastor Robert Bradow officiating. Memorial visitation began at 6 p.m. prior to the service. In memory of Rick, memorial contributions have been suggested to the Waldensian Cemetery in care of the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.