Obituary: Brent Eldon Checketts

Brent Eldon Checketts 1942 ~ 2006 LAYTON - Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, March 4, 2006 at McKay Dee Hospital of heart failure. Brent (Bruno) was born August 29, 1942 to John Eldon Checketts and Gertrude Van De Graff; he was the eldest of their four children. Brent was raised in Ogden, Utah and graduated from Weber High School in 1960. He served a mission to Mexico from 1962-1964. Brent received an Athletic Scholarship to Utah State University for Football, Basketball, and Baseball in 1960. He received another Athletic Scholarship to Weber State College for Basketball and Baseball in 1964. Brent was on the Utah State American Legion All-Star Baseball team in 1959 and on the Utah State All-State Baseball team in 1960. He coached Baseball at Weber High (American Legion) from 1964-1965. Brent attended Utah State University, Brigham Young University, Weber State college where he earned his B.A. in Spanish in 1967 and Utah State University where he earned his Masters of Arts degree in History in 1971. He retired after 37 years of teaching in 2005. Brent married Eda (Edie) Radford in 1967 and they were later divorced. He married Rosemary Peterson in 1979 and they were later divorced. He married his Honey Bun, Sherri Brittain on June 13, 2003. Brent was an educator in Davis School District serving as a History and Spanish teacher for 37 years at Viewmont High, Woods Cross High and Layton High School. Brent also taught Adult Drivers Education in Clearfield, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Brent (Coach) also coached basketball, football and baseball for Viewmont, Woods Cross and Layton High School from 1964 to 1996. He coached his team to win the 4-A championship for girls' basketball in the 1983-1984 season for Layton High School. Brent enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, riding ATV's and traveling with his wife, Sherri. He will be missed deeply by all of his friends and family, who enjoyed being with him during those activities. He loved being outdoors and was always, as he would say, dabbling and puttering around in the yard. Brent was a loving, kind and giving man. He never forgot a birthday, anniversary or sending a thank you, get well or sympathy card to a friend or family member. Brent would lend his hand to many a neighbor, friend and family member. He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and watching them play sports; they were the light of his life. Brent had so much love for his children, grandchildren and wife and he showed it in so many ways. He gave them unconditional love and respect. He took care of them with so much compassion and understanding. He was selfless and had a positive can-do attitude. Brent loved to tell jokes and stories. He always wanted to make others smile and laugh. He would at times play pranks on his family, friends, peers, students and secretaries at school and most would return the favor, which made it more enjoyable for him. Remember Brent for his love, his gentle kindness, his smile, his deep but kind voice and for bringing happiness and laughter wherever he went. "Did I tell you about...?" Surviving are his wife Sherri; his children, Joseph W. Checketts of Troutdale, Oregon; Allison Hansen of Sandy, Utah; Jessica (Thomas) Hetherington of San Diego, CA; Justin (Kim) Cleveland of Justin, TX; Carissa Franich (finace Ted Eason) of Layton, Utah; brother Paul (Ann) Checketts of Fruit Heights, Utah; sisters, Marla (Larry) McKenzie of Ogden, Utah; Colleen (Jeffrey) Brown of Cottonwood Heights, Utah; grandchildren: Lauren Hansen and Logan Hansen of Sandy, Utah; Alexis Cleveland of Justin, Texas; father and mother-in-law Carl and Jackie Radue, Clinton, Utah and many nieces and nephews that loved him. He is preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 10, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends and family may call Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment at Lindquist's Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road, Ogden. e-mail condolences to the family at llm@lindquistmortuary.com