Kermit Brent

Kermit Alton Brent, long–time resident of Arriba, Colorado, died January 12, 2015 at Aspen Leaf Assisted Living in Flagler, Colorado after a brief illness. Kermit, son of Shelah H. Brent and Hassie M. (Taylor) Brent, was born near Smithville, Tennessee and moved with his family to Kansas when he was about four years old. In 1931 he moved with his family to a farm northwest of Arriba. Kermit graduated from Lincoln School in 1933 and worked for a short time in Kansas and Colorado doing various farm labor jobs. In 1935, Kermit married Arlene Beedy. Kermit worked building roads in eastern Colorado before moving his family to Denver where he delivered coal and worked for the WPA hauling materials for various construction projects including Cherry Creek Dam and Lowry AFB. Farm life seemed like a better life choice so Arlene and Kermit bought the farm where Kermit continued to live for the next 76 years. Kermit worked hard to build his farm and spent several years custom cutting wheat while farming his own acreage. Kermit and Arlene were founding members of the Sunday Club and hosted an annual chicken fry at their home for many years for neighbors and friends. Throughout the years Kermit was an active member of the community, serving on the Arriba school board, Lincoln County Election Board and participating as an officer and member of the Arriba Lions’ Club. He was named Colorado Lion of the Year in 1973-74. Kermit was known in the community as a dedicated farmer and rancher and a neighbor who was always ready to lend a helping hand. He is survived by his three children, Ronald Brent (wife, Beverly) of Arriba, Colorado; Loretta McDonald (husband, James) of Lincoln, California; and Sharon Thompson (husband, James) of Green Valley, Arizona; 9 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 19 great-great grandchildren; brother, Kimel Brent (wife, Wanda), of Arriba, Colorado and sister, Evelyn Barr, of Beaverton, Oregon and numerous nieces and nephews.