Brent Lee Thomas
1968 - 2020
Brent Lee Thomas, 52, of Newton, Kansas
crossed his final finish line on Sunday, October 25, 2020. He died at
home, surrounded by those he loved after a five month battle with
cancer. Brent was born on August 31, 1968 in Newton, Kansas to Jerry
Max and Kay (O'Brien) Thomas. He attended Newton High School and
graduated with honors in 1986. He then attended Northwest Kansas Area
Vocational Technical School in Goodland, Kansas where he studied auto
body repair. He started a long career in Aircraft manufacturing at
Beech Aircraft in 1989. December, 2006, he headed north to Fairbanks,
Alaska to work for Alkan Shelters. He was there for 4 years returning
to the lower 48 in 2010 and resumed working for Beech. He was proud
of his work as a Manufacturing Engineer and continued to work at
Beech (Textron) until shortly before his death.
As a child he was outgoing and
inquisitive. He loved all things racing and started out racing BMX
bikes at age 13. He moved on to go-carts before graduating to dirt
track racing, which he enjoyed doing with his dad, Jerry. They bonded
over race cars and dirt tracks, and Brent soon found his passion for
fixing anything with wheels. If he didn't know how to fix something,
he'd figure it out and then teach the next guy how to do it, too. He
never met a project he couldn't finish. He had a need for speed and
loved to hit the open road on his Harley with Cathy, on the back.
Brent and Cathy traveled many miles,
moving from Park City, Kansas to Fairbanks, Alaska in 2006. From
fishing, to hunting, to rafting, they had countless adventures
exploring the state he loved so much. Brent would have stayed in
Alaska forever, but he moved home with Cathy in 2010 to be closer to
their family (and to keep his wife).
Brent loved being the crew chief for
#65, Tyler Davis Racing. He spent most of his weekends over the last
ten years at the track, an experience he also loved sharing with his
grandkids. He traveled all over the U.S. as a vital member of the pit
crew and will be impossible to replace. He believed in Tyler and
wanted so much to keep racing until the end.
Family meant everything to Brent. He
was always there for anyone who needed him. He was proud of his
children and grandchildren and would tell anyone about them that
would listen. He shared three children with his first wife, Kandace
Silvernale; a son, Justin Kater, and two daughters; Maegan (Ray)
Miles and Michelle (Derek) Embry, all of Newton. On September 5,
2006, he married Cathy Kerr in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together they
shared two daughters, Kari (Cody) Cordell and Lauren (Oscar) Juarez,
all of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He loved all of his eleven grandkids;
Cameron, Timothy, Guthry, Claire, Amya, Nora, Afton, Porter,
Elliotte, Maliah, and Arlis. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of
the two newest grand kids, Max and Penny. His grand kids brought him
so much joy and softened his tough guy exterior whenever they were
around. They loved and respected their Papa Brent and learned so many
valuable lessons from him.
Brent is survived by Cathy, five
children, stepmother Zella Thomas, two sisters, Tina Fowler and
Teresa Driver, two brothers, Brad Thomas and Jerry (Gina) Gaede, and
so many more who loved him. He is also survived by his beloved
bulldog, Fletcher.
He was preceded in death by his Father,
Jerry Thomas and Mother, Kay Thomas.
A service of Celebration and
Remembrance of Brent's life will be held on Saturday, October 31, at
10:00 a.m. at Grace Community Church in Newton, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Caring Hands, in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
Arrangements are by Petersen Funeral
Home, Newton, Kansas.
