Gary Russell (Rusty) Plaskett

Gary Russell (Rusty)Plaskett, 40, of Independence, MO. passed away 9-20-2023 at Kansas City, from unknown causes. A memorial visitation will be held from on October 2nd, 2023 from 2pm to 4pm, 2023 at The Cremation and Burial Society located at 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd. Raytown, MO. 64133. Rusty was born at Ft. Hood Tx to Mr. Carl Plaskett of Kansas City, MO and Ms. Angela (Harper) Doty of Independence, MO.

Rusty was one of the most gracious, curious, talented and genuine people walking on this earth. As many of you know, Rusty Plaskett passed away peacefully in his sleep. He would have celebrated his 41st birthday on the 25th of September. Rusty graduated from Andrew Drumm (Wm. Chrisman) in 2001. After graduation he became a Paratrooper for the U.S.Army in Oct. 2001. He was on duty status as a unit clerk from Oct. 2001 to March 2004. Rusty was a proud veteran who absolutely loved serving his country. After his discharge, Rusty served in the Army Reserves where he made it to the the rank of Sergeant. While in the reserves, Rusty served in a non combat deployment mission in Kosovo for a year before he was discharged from the Reserves in 2012.

Rusty was “Daddy” to his two beautiful daughters who he lived for. He loved those girl more than life itself. All who know Rusty knew that he was an accomplished musician, artist and poet. He played guitar for local bands throughout his adulthood. In 2015, he realized his dream of playing on the “big stage” when he and his band, Adrial’s Tragedy, became the first local band in the KC area to play at Rockfest. Rusty was a critical thinker who had a thirst for knowledge. And he often would share that knowledge with whomever happened to be around at the time. He was always the advocate for the underdog and often stepped up for a cause he was passionate about. He was a force to behold and was loved by so many others because, of his gracious spirit and the desire to lift others up even when he couldn’t lift himself. He would give you the shirt off of his back, or give you his last dollar. He would feed you if you were hungry and house you if you ran upon hard times. Rusty struggled daily with mental health and addiction issues and he fought a good, hard and long battle with the intrusive thoughts that continually plagued him and sometimes immobilized him for days. Rusty became certified as a Missouri Peer Support so that he could help others overcome their personal demons even though he continued to struggle with his own. Rusty was a bright beacon of light to all he encountered and had the gift of bringing people out of their darkness and making them feel loved. He never he met a stranger and he had a “brilliant personality”.

He was preceded in death by both sets of his great grandparents, Grandfather and namesake, Gary C. Harper, Grandfather Lawrence Plaskett, and Uncle Scott Harper.

Survivors include: Mother Angela (Harper) Doty, Father Carl Dean Plaskett, daughters, Kendall Rae and Addison Harper, beloved emotional support dog, Brodie, grandmothers, Nina Plaskett and Judy Kilby, sister, Ashley Kay (West) Bruner, brother, Jonathan Michael West, Aunt, Christi Harper Walsh, uncles Michael Harper, Scott Plaskett, Larry Plaskett John Plaskett, Marty Plaskett, cousins Joshua West, Derek Harper, Alexander Harper, Collin Walsh and Olivia Walsh as well as numerous second cousins.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA health Information network, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20947-2345.