Brian Christopher Usher, 57, of Webb City, Mo. died February 22, 2022, Joplin, Mo. Born October 31, 1964, in Pittsburg, Brian was the son of Francis E. (Bud) and Donna Usher.
From an early age, in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, Brian formed lifelong friendships with his best pals, Pete Carpino, Brian Cussimanio, Sean Kelly, Rich Bennett, George Radell and many others. Together, they experienced countless shenanigans and adventures. These friendships and adventures continued throughout adulthood, in the form of yearly “guys” fishing trips, lake time, and just being together as much as they could.
Brian attended St. Mary’s Colgan High School in Pittsburg. Upon graduation in 1983 Brian joined the United States Armed Forces serving his country in the Army. After completing boot camp in Fort Benning, Ga., as an MP, Brian was stationed at Weisbaden Air Base in Germany as a supply specialist for Apache helicopters for 18 months. He then transferred to Colorado Springs, Colo.
After an honorable discharge from the service in 1987, Brian returned to Pittsburg, where a daughter, Cassie, entered his life. He loved and admired his father Bud and resolved to follow in Bud’s footsteps to toward a career in Pharmacy. He attended Pittsburg State University for three years, focusing on pre-pharmacy curriculum. He then moved on to the prestigious Kansas University School of Pharmacy, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. Brian built a very successful career and was licensed in the states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
July 17, 2010, Brian hit the self-described “jackpot”, marrying the love of his life, Angie and gaining his bonus son Zach. The new family settled in Webb City, Mo. The couple experienced 12 happy years building their lives together. They traveled far and wide, to the tops of the Grand Teton mountains to the warm waters of Mexico.
Family outings to Grand Lake on the boat were frequent. Brian and Angie, also a pharmacist, lovingly supported each other in their careers. Brian loved and raised Zach as his own son. He supported Zach in all of his sporting events and took an active role helping Zach with school projects and homework. Brian loved all of Angie’s family and made a point to include them at the lake, golfing and memorable trips.
In addition to his family, Brian enjoyed collecting pharmacy items from the past, often tied to his father Bud’s pharmacy career. Brian loved golfing, experiencing so many courses around the country with his friends. Shangri-La at Grand Lake and Crestwood Country Club in Pittsburg were special places to Brian. He shared his lake home and condo with his many friends and family. He was also a landowner in Rush County. Brian’s enduring quality is that of selfless service and caring of others. This service was not only evident in the daily activities of his career, but also in his private life. He helped strangers when traveling, often providing cash to those in need. He supported the KU School of Pharmacy throughout his career. Family and friends were priorities for Brian. They could count on him for whatever was needed. Sometimes, those priorities were shown in a form such as meeting Angie’s family for the first time and making sure they had a great time on the lake (despite losing his golf cart in the lake earlier that day).
Other times, those priorities were simply demonstrated by asking about a friend’s child, regardless of his own personal situation, as he did in the days leading to his passing when friends would call. Jesus teaches us to care for others as Brian did throughout his adult life and this is the lasting legacy he leaves. Brian was preceded in death by his father Bud and brother Micheal.
Brian is survived by his loving wife Angie and stepson Zach of Webb City,Mo., daughter Cassie Quick and family of Bentonville Ark. and his mother Donna and sisters Dina Usher and Kathy Brown and family of Webb City, Mo. His extended family of Darell and Barb Janasek of Munden, Clayton and Donna Janasek, nephew Cory and niece Ashlyn of Independence will love and cherish Brian’s memory forever. Many, many, close friends will fondly remember Brian and all the good times they shared. Brian leaves this world a better place, because he was here.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Brian C. Usher Memorial Foundation towards Medical Research.