Jeffrey "J.B." Brantner

Jeffrey Irvin Brantner passed away peacefully and went to be with our Lord and Savior on December 26, 2025 in Amarillo, Texas after a sudden illness. Celebration of Life services will be 2:00 PM January 12, 2026 at Cox-Rowley Funeral home, 4180 Canyon Dr.

Jeff was born June 10, 1953 to Casey and Margie Brantner. He grew up on a farm north of Moorhead, Minnesota with his parents and three brothers Tim, Dan, and Tom. Jeff graduated from Moorhead High School in 1971 and attended the University of Minnesota Crookston. Jeff came to Big Piney and become instant friends with local rancher Bill Murdock. Time was spent on Cattle drives to the upper Green River Drift which Jeff enjoyed. They were a fixture at the local bars watching Gunsmoke on TV and debating the abilities of the Viking football team and the Bears. 

After several years as a farmer, Jeff became an independent truck driver making long distance trips all over the United States. He retired in 2024 from trucking with a perfect driving record. 

In 2022, Jeff moved from his longtime home in Big Piney, Wyoming to Amarillo, Texas to be with his best friend Gerri Whittington who became his wife, August 2, 2025. Jeff and Gerri enjoyed each other‘s company, laughing, and taking rides in their Corvette. Jeff and Gerri enjoyed dinners at Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse but he absolutely loved Gerri’s cooking, especially her meatloaf. 

Jeff loved people and was a great storyteller. He liked classic country music, anything with wheels, especially Corvettes and he enjoyed reading John Grisham novels, as well as works by William W. Johnstone and Louis L’Amour. Jeff was tough and hard working. He had a great sense of humor. He was a one-of-a-kind cowboy and will be truly missed. 

Jeff is survived by his loving wife Gerri, his children, Katy Marie and Caleb and his wife Laci; his grandchildren, Reece, Maya, Anni, and AJ, his brother’s Tim and wife, Caroline and Dan and his wife, Donna; his good friend Bill Murdock from Wyoming, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kari his parents and his brother Tom.