Brent Whittier Graham Obituary (1942 - 2021)

Brent Whittier Graham, 79, of West Haven Utah, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2021 at his home. Brent was born January 29, 1942 to Dolores Fuller and Heber Whittier Graham, in Ogden Utah. He grew up in and attended schools in Weber County, graduating from Weber High School in 1960. He was very active in sports in high school, particularly football, basketball, and swimming. He often said that he disliked school, but because he loved sports, he had to get good grades so he could participate. It was important enough to him that he made sure he was eligible to play. After high school, he attended Weber State until he was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the France Paris Mission. He fell in love with the language and the people and cherished his time there. He endeared himself to the people he met and worked with because he worked extra hard to learn the language and culture. Upon his return from his mission, he enrolled in Utah State University. He majored in English Literature and French. While at Utah State he met and married Bonnie Nash. They had three children and were later divorced. Brent taught in the Weber School District for a number of years. He taught English and French and did some assistant football coaching as well. He loved working with the young people but found working with their parents not quite as enjoyable. He insisted the youth do their work and participate, and he had ways of bringing English Literature and the French language and culture to life. He has encountered a number of past students over the years who have told him how much they enjoyed his classes. Brent didn't like not being his own boss, so he left the school district and opened a daycare in Layton that he ran for several years. After closing the daycare, he worked at a number of different jobs. He loved when he worked for ranchers and would spend his summer in the mountains with the cattle. He was a cowboy at heart. He did grant writing for a while at Hill Air Force Base and when that ended he went back into insurance, specializing in pre-need planning. He retired from that in 2014. He loved the various horses he had over the years, but his favorite equine was his mule, Woodrow. Those two had a special bond. Together they went on some amazing adventures. He sorely missed Woodrow when he died. Brent had to give up horses in 2017 due to failing health and was very sad and resistant to ending that chapter of his life. In 2005, Brent met and married Janet Ray Workman. They were sealed in the Ogden Temple on December 2, 2006. They spent the last 16 years enjoying the great outdoors together. Camping and riding ATV's gave them some very cherished experiences. One of Brent's favorite places was the Uinta's and even after he couldn't camp anymore, he loved to drive through the Uinta's and take in the majesty of God's creation. Brent was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Timothy Graham; and a daughter, Gayle who died in infancy. He is survived by his wife, Janet; a daughter, Claire Doss; and son, Travis (Alissa) Graham; and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by five stepchildren: Luella Daugherty, Amelia (Anthony) Booth, Joseph Workman, Sarah (Kaluna) Mitte, Adam Workman, and twelve step-grandchildren. Funeral Services for Brent will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021, 11:00 AM at the Kanesville Stake Center at 4555 W 4000 South in West Haven, Utah. Viewing will be 10:00 -11:00am prior to service and also Friday October 22, 2021, at Myers Mortuary of Roy at 5865 S 1900 W from 6:00-8:00pm. His final resting place will be at Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden, Utah. We would like to extend a special thank-you to https://independencehealthservices.com/ for their wonderful support and care of Brent during the last 7 weeks of his life. Marcie, Hannah, Shanna, Lindsey, and Jon (volunteer) came into our home and helped ease the burden of care and provided Janet with the support she needed as she cared for Brent during this time. Also, a special thank you to the kind and caring neighbors who pitched in to help.