Saturday, June 26, 2021

Rick Halstead


(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

On Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021, Rick Halstead, husband to Lisa Halstead and father to Ryan, Mike and Nick Halstead, passed away at the age of 67.

Rickey Jay Halstead was born December 5th, 1953 in Grinnell, IA to Kenny and Marjorie Halstead. Rick was raised, along with his brother Kirk, in Grinnell and was a 1972 graduate of Grinnell Senior High School. 


Shortly after graduation, he went to work as a butcher at Grinnell Frozen Foods, owned by his future father-in-law, Phil Gaumer. There he grew close to Lisa Gaumer, Phil’s daughter, whom he had known since childhood. 








In 1976, Rick moved to New Mexico to pursue a new opportunity in the ranching industry. Shortly thereafter, Rick and Lisa became engaged and married on July 15th, 1979. Children soon followed with Ryan being born in 1983, Michael in 1987 and Nicholas in 1992. The family moved from New Mexico back to Iowa, eventually settling in Joplin, MO in 1998.

Rick held a lifelong passion for firearms, beginning as a child. Throughout his life, he pursued this passion through restoring, shooting and learning the history of firearms. In the mid-1980’s, Rick achieved the high honor of being inducted to the Custom Gunmakers Guild of America, with a ceremony being held in Las Vegas, NV. 

An exceedingly humble man, he was known for his fine, custom checkered rifle stocks and pistol grips, as well as his remarkable ability to restore antique firearms. The prestigious gun manufacturer Westley Richards also employed him as their premier gunsmith for North America. 

Additionally, customers from all over the country would solicit his services. Rick continued his work, along with employment at Mobile Instrument Services, until his retirement in 2012. His wide smile and ability to hold a genuine, caring conversation with anyone was admired by all who knew him.

Survivors include wife Lisa Halstead, sons Ryan (Jessica), Mike (Jamie) and Nick (Beth), all of Joplin, MO; brother Kirk (Debbie) of Grinnell, IA; and 5 grandchildren, Wilder, Asher, Ander, Paige and Ben. He was preceded in death by his father in 2005 and mother in 2010.

Services will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church in Joplin, MO on Monday, June 28th, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. A private burial will be held later in the day.



Contributions may be made to the Rick Halstead Memorial Fund, in care of the mortuary. Funds will go toward the grandchildren's education,

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