Matthew Scott "Matt" Bramel

Matthew "Matt" Scott Bramel of Rolla, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with metastatic renal cell carcinoma at the age of 52.
Born January 10, 1973 in Doolittle, Missouri to the late Scott Bramel and Dayle Bramel.
A lifelong resident of Phelps County, Matt dedicated over three decades of his life to protecting and serving his community as a firefighter and paramedic. Matt's journey in public service began at the age of 16 when he joined the fire service with the Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District. After graduating from Newburg High School in 1991, he pursued a career in emergency medicine, earning his EMT certification, quickly followed by his paramedic license. Matt was a mainstay of the Phelps County Regional Medical Center (now Phelps Health), in addition to Pulaski County Ambulance District, and St. James Ambulance District. His leadership and expertise led him to serve as the Fire Chief of Doolittle Fire starting in 2009, and later as the Board President until his retirement in 2025.
Beyond his professional achievements, Matt was a man of deep passions. He was an elite fisherman and past president of the Gasconade River Bassmasters. Whether competing in bass tournaments or making his annual trek to Lake Tenkiller in Vian, Oklahoma, for white bass, Matt found peace and joy on the water. In his final year, he remained focused on his bucket list, which included trips to Scottland, the Bahamas, and Disney World, all with his family. He remained a fierce advocate for firefighter safety, using his own diagnosis to raise awareness about the occupational cancer risks faced by those in the fire service.
Matt's greatest pride, however, was his family. He married the love of his life, Leah Michelle (Stough) Bramel, on March 2, 2013, in Branson, Missouri. Together, they raised a family built on strength and shared adventure. He was a member of the First Assembly of God in Rolla.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Leah Bramel; his children, Maison Bramel of St. James, Tyler Fry and his wife, Hannah, of Rolla, and Dylan Fry of Rolla; his mother, Dayle Bramel of Newburg; and his parents-in-law, John Stough and his wife, Regina, of Rolla. He is also survived by his brother, Craig Bramel and Mandy Hodges, of Newburg; his sister-in-law, Tasha Lonning and her husband, Eric, of Rolla; and his brother-in-law, Nathan Stough and Brittany Jones of Newburg. His surviving nieces and nephews include Collin Bramel of Doolittle, Toby Lonning of Omaha, Nebraska, Wyatt Stough, Thatcher Lonning, Holden Stough, Dexton Jones, Aliyah Stough, Paisley Stough, and Addie Jones.
Matt was preceded in death by his father, Scott Bramel; paternal grandparents, William "Bill" Bramel and Margaret "Peggy" (Koults) Bramel of Newburg, and his maternal grandparents.
Matt leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication to those around him. He will be remembered as a mentor, a leader, a fiercely loyal friend, and a dedicated family man who embraced every moment to the fullest.
A funeral service of Matthew "Matt" S. Bramel will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Rolla First Assembly of God Church. Interment will follow in the Newburg City Cemetery in Newburg, Missouri. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026 at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Assembly of God in Rolla or the Doolittle Rural Fire Department.