Brent Warner

Brent Warner, 55, of Kearney passed on Saturday, May 13, 2017 surrounded by family and friends at Mt. Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center following a courageous battle with brain cancer. A celebration of life will be at 10:30 am Wednesday at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Melody Adams officiating. There will be a time for family and friends to share memories during the service. Burial will be at 2:30 pm at Highland Cemetery in Ravenna. Casual attire is requested (if you have your "Poke the Bear" shirt, we would love to have you wear it). The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Tuesday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral home in Kearney. The casket will be closed. Brent was born on May 5th 1962 in Omaha to Robert and Lois (Lerdal) Warner. He graduated from Omaha North High School in 1980 and attended Kearney State College where he studied Business Administration. Brent was united in marriage to Gay Hughes on September 30, 1995 in Kearney. Brent was a faithful employee at Coleman Powermate for 21 years before they closed and was employed at West Pharmaceuticals at the time of his death. He was a hard-worker and took pride in all he did. He was honored to make many friends through his jobs and was overwhelmed with their support through the past 8 months' of his wife's and then his own health battles. Brent liked to spend his free time being outdoors. He loved shooting guns, fishing, camping, listening to his style of music, grilling and sitting by the fire with close friends and a good craft beer. He enjoyed watching sports - especially hockey. He was a Wayne Gretzky fan from early on. He was also a season ticket holder for many years with the Tri-city Storm Hockey where he and Gay found several new acquaintances that became like family. He enjoyed NASCAR and the trips to the race tracks in Texas and Kansas City. He was a loyal fan to both Earnhardt's. He and Gay created many great memories in Estes Park. He always looked forward to the times when they could spend time camping locally at Overton & Bassett with the Tucker family, at Fort Kearney with "The Crew" and the fishing trips to Springview at the Schoettger's amongst many other outdoor events. Brent was a big kid at heart, if there were children around, he was probably pestering them. They always thought of him a jungle gym or a giant Teddy Bear and he was ok with that. He loved to tease and joke and gave excellent "Bear" hugs. His smile was contagious. He will be forever missed. Brent was a tremendous support for Gay through her cancer battle. He was absolute in his love and commitment to her and her well-being. He was constantly at her side until his own personal battle began. He is survived by his loving wife Gay; his brothers, David Warner of Cary, NC and Kent Warner and wife Rhonda of Bellevue, NE; his mother-in-law, Darlene Hughes of Hazard; Brothers-in-law, David Hughes and wife Judy of Hazard and Scott Hughes and wife Jennifer of Gering; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Make-A-Wish, Royal Family Kids Camps local chapter at New Life Assembly, or to the family to be designated later.

Brent Warner

May 5, 1962 - May 13, 2017