Brent was born November 19, 1960 in Ogden, UT to Vangel and Jay Thurgood . Brent was born into a motorcycle racing family and was riding by the age of four. He was a strong competitor and always the one to beat. Although he kept his competitive spirit, he traded motorcycles for mules, horses and 4-wheelers. He was happily married to Julie Gallegos Thurgood on August 19, 1979. She truly was the love of his life. They raised their children; Ashley, Tyler and Cameron along with countless pets and animals in Salt Lake City, UT before discovering their lives in Grand Junction, CO.
Brent was an avid hunter, guide, houndsman, rancher and cowboy. He was among the few that are fortunate enough to live his dream as a wildlife habitat engineer, a term he would smile at today. He lived outdoors, among the elk, deer, mountain lions, and bear; enhancing nature’s offerings with his hard work. He had such a playful personality and an uncanny ability to charm and entertain anyone he met. He was a loyal human being and always willing to take the time to help a friend. Brent was a wonderful husband, father and a role model for his family. He will be greatly missed
He is survived by his wife Julie, children Ashley, Tyler and Cameron, his mother Vangel Thurgood and his siblings Kent and Medeet Thurgood, Carl and SuzanneThurgood, David and Kim Thurgood, June and Roy Miller, in-laws Carlos and Lily Gallegos, Ashlee Smith, Vicki Hernandez, Mercedes Cameron, Bert Nieslanik and many friends.
Brent peacefully departed this world on May 3, 2010 at the young age of 49. He is preceded in death by father Jay Thurgood and faithful companion “Bear”.
A celebration of Brent’s life will be held at their home on Mesa Mood Ranch on Saturday May 8th from 11:00am – 2:00pm with a tribute beginning at 11:30. Turn South on Monument Road. Follow the detour signs on Redlands Road to Rosevale Road. Turn Right- signs will be posted.
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Ash: We are so sad for your family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love you,
ReplyDeleteMatt & Celeste
Julie, Cameron, Ashley and Tyler, our thoughts and many prayers are with you during this time. We are sorry for your loss. Love you guys
ReplyDeleteDavid & Lori
Its so hard for me to hear about Brents passing.
ReplyDeleteWhile Brent and I were not close friends, we knew each other very well about 20 years ago when Brent lived in Utah and he would come up to the field trials in Idaho. Man o man did he have some top Redbones and his dogs were always in the finals back then. But just as his dogs were top dogs, Brent was a top guy, a guy you would be proud to call your friend.
I haven't spoken to Brent for 20 years, but I still feel like I just talked to him yesterday.
Brent if you can read this; your not forgotten! Love you man!
Kevin Hall
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ReplyDeleteJulie,Ashley, Cameron and Tyler. Our Thought and prayers are with you guys.
ReplyDeleteBoy he would be mad at us for being all sad, but he never realized how much we all loved him and how he was such a big part of everyones lives. If there is anything I can do, you just say the word and it is done.
God, I hope your ready for Brent. Just let him think it was his Idea and you will get along great.He is such a great guy and we all love him so much and will miss him more than you can imagine.
He will play tricks on you so be ready, that means he loves you.
He will be the best baby sitter up there, he loved kids so much and will entertain every kid up there.
And please charge your nite light because he is going to grab ole Dan and take you coon hunting and lion hunting.
There will never be a dull moment in heaven with Brent there. He just can't sit still and relax.
Anything in heaven that needs to be fixed he will fix it and make it better.
Thank you God for letting us know and love Brent. He is one man that I can say I am proud to have known and love.
Please God, take care of our best freind until we can see him again
Devin Staker Family
HOLDEN:
ReplyDeleteI can't remember a time in my life without Brent. He has always been there since I can remember. When I think of fishing, Alaska, a true county boy or a real cowboy, I will always think of Brent. I remember learning he always wore jeans, nothing else. He even wore his jeans and hat in the lake when he tried to water ski behind the jets skiis on the ranch. He offered such practical wisdom and a contrast to the face pace of life in LA. Being in Spain, it doesn't seem real that Brent won't be around this summer on our annual trip to Alaska.
LUKE:
"Brent was so funny and I always felt myself laughing around him. One of our funniest memories of Brent was when he brought dogs to Los Angeles to help my Dad track some Lions for the LA County State Park. Before we went home we stopped at a shopping center in Malibu to get some food. We parked his big truck next to a local pet store that sells 2,000 dollar diamond collars for mini poodles, furry leopard dog beds and pink cupcake looking dogs treats. It wasn't long before the dogs in the back of the truck started fighting, Brent walked over to his truck and started yelling shut the f**k while hitting the dogs to break up the fight. The locals at the shopping center gasped in shock while Brent broke up the fight, he could care less what people thought of him, he loved his dogs and i loved his straight shooter personality.
ANDREA:
Brent was always supportive of Ricky and I. Ricky has not had a lot of friends because of the nature of his public life. I was always grateful that he had Brent as his closest true friend. Brent and Ricky bonded in their love for the outdoors and animals. I always loved how much love and attention Brent gave each one of my kids. He had a real and separate relationship with all of them and he was a positive influence on each one of them. He taught them about nature and this has been a nice to balance them growing up in Los Angeles. Brent will be deeply missed by all of us.
Love Ricky Schroder Family
Ricky, I hope you get this. Dan Harrison needs to get in touch with you. Elktalkn@gmail.com
DeleteDear Julie and Family,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry I can't be there for Brent's memorial service. Will you please share my thoughts, as well as Andrea Holden and Lukes as you stand on the girls ranch.
It was 1992 and I was talking hounds with this guy from Utah named Brent I had never met. I'm not sure who found who, but I'm glad we found each other. We would talk for hours about the benefits of one breed versus another. We finally made a plan to meet up and go for a hunt. Brent drove thru the night after work and arrived for an early morning lion hunt. We were immediate friends and Brent made many trips to MesaMood ranch over the early years to hunt. He and I caught several lions in the canyons your looking at. Ladder Canyon was very good to us. We walked the bottoms of those canyons and listened to the sweet sound of our hounds trailing and then treeing. His red hound was the best hound I'd ever seen. Some times we'd get stuck and spend most of the day cursing as we dug the vehicle from the mud. Brent and I would push each other as hunters. We laughed alot, shared alot for guys, and loved each other like brothers. Brent is my best friend and always will be. Brent loved Mesa Mood and took care of it like his own. He loved my kids, especially my boys. Going to Alaska and fishing wasn't the same without Brent and my boys would always ask if Brent was going before agreeing to go. Brent made everything more fun. I love you Brent...I never told you that...but I know you knew it. I knew you loved me. Brent was one of the good guys. He had values, his word was solid, he loved his kids and adored his wife.
Your buddy forever,
Ricky
Rick, Dan Harrison needs to get in touch with you. Elktalkn@Gmail.com
DeleteJulie and kids,
ReplyDeleteI just got word of Brent's untimely passing. You have our deepest sympathy and wish you well during this difficult time. Brent was one of my best friends even though he moved to Colorado. We kept in touch, but not enough. He no doubt invited me out to see him lots of times. Now I am regretting missing out on the visits.
We sure had a lot of fun times since I met Brent at work in 1986. All the horse rides in Butterfield and Alpine, the huge tom he treed for me, the deer hunts, and the fun at work we had even though neither one of us enjoyed that place. I was glad Brent got the opportunity to do what he loved to do full time.
I will miss Brent a lot and I wish comfort to you and your kids Julie. You guys will always be our friends so lets not lose staying in touch.
Ty and Chris Calton
Ashley, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Father was a Great man, I have so many wonderful memories with your family. Your dad was always so good to me, whatever it was dog trials, or just hanging around the neighborhood he always knew how to make me laugh. Growing up I always felt I had two families, Brent loved to tease me. In fact my name was not Valerie it was Wallerie...couldn't get him to stop if I tried...He taught me how to eat potato chips HIS way....with ketchup (yep I thought he was crazy, but he knew what he was talking about) My family and I have you, Ashlee and your whole family in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything you need I am here if you.
ReplyDelete~Valerie Van Dam
Julie, I was so sorry to read about Brent's death. I'm sure it is so hard for your whole family. Please know that we are praying for you and your children. If you come to town, please call me. I tried to call you but there was no listing.
ReplyDeleteCarol Starks
Julie, Ashley, Tyler & Cameron,
ReplyDeleteMy mother just called me and gave me the news. I am still in shock. It is so strange, because even though it has been so long since the days you were living on Westbrook Drive - yet I can still remember it as if it were just yesterday. I think about your family from time to time and I hope you know how much the Sokia family loves you. I will miss Brent's smile and his cowboy style. Like Val said, he was always so funny and genuine. I hold many memories from my childhood close - and almost all of them involve the Thurgood Family.
Please know that if there is anything we can do for you and your family, My family is right up the road in Craig, Colorado. please don't hesitate to call on us. carlsokia@gmail.com
We love you guys & you will be in our thoughts & prayers!
Love,
Carl & The Sokia Family
Julie,
ReplyDeleteI sure hope today was a good day and the healing can begin. I know it will take a long time and if you ever want to talk, please call. I would really like to talk to you when things settle down. 801-361-1671 call anytime. I only have Brent's cell and your old home phone number.
It was funny about 2 weeks ago my wife was cleaning out the VHS/DVD cabinet and she pulled one out because she did not know what it was. It was Brent, Devin Staker, and me with my lion in Big Canyon. It was good to watch and remember that day some 15 years ago. I will always remember Dan and DeeDee. Those were two of his best friends and two of the finest hounds I ever had a chance to see work. I have spent many hours remembering the days we spent together before you guys moved. We really did a lot together when I stop and think back. I knew the ranch was where he really wanted to be, even though I selfishlly hoped he stayed in Utah. I still have photos of the upper ranch and the few days it was just me and Brent messing around and Brent checking things out. It is really beginning to set in what has happened and it is a sad day. Every time I think back I remember a fun day with Brent, he would have me laughing, and I will miss his "Brentisms." He had an uncanny gift of "come backs" so you had to be careful teasing Brent.
I wish you and your family well Julie, Tyler, Ashley, and Cameron. I watched your kids grow up Julie to be good hard working citizens. You and Brent did a great job raising a great family.
Julie, I loved Brent. I will never forget I was a young 18 year old kid starting at Hercules. Brent was an "old" guy at 24. Brent took me under his wing and I knew I could always depend on him. I will never forget the day I had to stop at your house in West Jordan and have Brent drive me home because my back was killing me. He layed the front seat back and cut a piece of plywood for me to lay on and got me home. I am glad he called me about a month ago and had a good talk. It is a good reminder to stay close to those you care about no matter how far apart you may grow. If you need anything that I can help you with please let me know.
I will never forget Brent or the fun times we had. I will always call him friend and a darned good one at that.
With all my sympathy,
Ty Calton
Ashley, Tyler, or Cameron
ReplyDeleteIf you read this please call me. My number is above. I am pretty certain you remember me when you were younger.
Ty Calton
Dan Harrison,
ReplyDeleteJulie,
Although I visited your place often, I regret never meeting you. I just found out what happened and like everyone else I am in shock! At the time when Brent passed I was burying my Mother May 3 rd. I am sorry I was not at his memorial. My mother loved Brent as I did and I am sure they are having a great time together.
Brent I will miss you!!
Your friend,
Dan
Julie and family,
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you still check this blog but I had to write. Brent and Julie were like my parents for the longest time in Salt Lake. I was the son of a single mother and Brent and Julie were god sent to help out and man did they ever. I have alot of storys from living in the apartments and then out in west jordan. The Brent i knew was a young and wild guy. I mean wild! Not sure if any one ever rode in a pinto with him but my god foot on the floor. I know Julie and Kent know what Im talking about. He taught me alot how to fish, ride motorcycles, and how to be a good person and hard worker. Julie sorry for not keeping in touch.
Michael Best (bestbartow@hotmail.com)