Brent Iler Wilson, 69
Brent Iler Wilson was born Dec. 31,1951, to Lloyd and Vangelane Wilson in Kalispell.
Brent exchanged his loving, earthly home for his eternal heavenly home on Jan. 17, 2021, in Yuma, Arizona.
His wife, Karen, mourns the loss of her soul mate, however, she also rejoices that Brent is now in the presence of his heavenly father and king, the Lord Jesus Christ. Brent's legacy is his enduring love for the Lord Jesus. It was his desire that everyone he met would come to know Jesus as their savior also.
Brent was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd; mother, Vange; and brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Janet Wilson.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 33 years, Karen, in Yuma, many treasured friends and nephews, David and Danny Wilson, and sister-in-law, Rosie Wilson.
Brent was a playful soul and had a penchant for giving his friends and family nicknames. He continued to have a good sense of humor, even through some of the pain which he experienced in the latter years of his life. Brent was a big man at 6 feet, 11 inches. You could often see him ducking as he went through doorways.
He excelled in many sports, which included basketball and baseball, from elementary school up through college. From his eighth grade in Kalispell, he went to Washington, D.C., where he won the NFL's "Punt, Pass and Kick" competition. He had a keen mind and enjoyed playing games, from bridge to pingpong. Lloyd instilled in him a love for hunting and fishing in which he shared his enthusiasm with many friends. One friend remembers crossing a stream with Brent where Brent momentarily forgot that he was a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier and almost lost his friend in the current.
Brent was larger than life and lived that way as well. However, he worked hard to hone the skills he had been given so he could be the best he could be. Brent also loved singing and sang with a group, "The Sonlighters." He had a beautiful voice.
The family cabin at Rollins and the family's various boats were a welcome retreat to Brent and many of his friends. Brent graduated from Flathead High School in Kalispell in 1970 after leading the Flathead Braves to victory in the AA Montana high school basketball championship game. In that game he scored over 50 points.
Upon graduation from Flathead in 1970, Brent was offered many scholarships from all over the country. At first he accepted the scholarship offered to him from Montana State in Bozeman where he played basketball for two years. After that Brent transferred to Colorado State University from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations degree. Many of his basketball teammates and coaches have remained lifelong friends
Brent made many friends in his life and was always interested in their spiritual welfare and watching them grow in it. Brent helped care for his parents in their last years which may have motivated him and his wife, Karen, to open and run Ironwood Estates Assisted Living in Yuma. Brent's kindness and sense of humor helped him to naturally fall into this leadership, caring role there.
Brent's memorial service will be announced at a later time.
Memorials may be given in 568 Brent’s name to Ironwood Estate Assisted Living at 11893 South Ironwood Drive, Yuma AZ 85367.
