Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Brent Jarrett

August 1, 1959 - February 1, 2025
Paw Paw, MI

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Life Story Visitation

Monday, February 10, 2025
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Life Story Service

Monday, February 10, 2025
5:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Reception

Monday, February 10, 2025
6:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Where food, drinks, and stories will be shared.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site

Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association
5076 Sports Dr
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 349-7825
Web Site

Mary Free Bed
235 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 840-8137
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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When reflecting on the life of Brenton Jarrett, it is easy to see both his unwavering resilience and unconditional love for his family. A strong role model for all who looked up to him, he was an involved member of his community, dedicated to bringing out the very best in those around him. Brent never took a single moment with his loved ones for granted. His solid work ethic allowed him to serve others, and he was not afraid to chase after his goals in life. Deeply loved, Brent will be forever missed and cherished.

Brent was born on August 1st, 1959, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the youngest of five children. Throughout his early years, Brent enjoyed a typical childhood of his generation. He was raised in the family home alongside his older siblings, Lorne Jr., Rod, Jamie, and Bart. Brent’s father, Lorne Sr., worked hard to support his family as a millwright at the steel plant while his mother, Lee, dedicated herself to caring for her children and her home. Brent fell in love with hockey at the young age of three. His brothers didn’t hesitate to show him up on their home ice rink, but that only made him tougher. It quickly became evident that Brent had a natural talent for hockey, and he thrived on his desire to prove others wrong.

He played several years in the Ontario hockey league, averaging almost 2 points per game. He then started his professional hockey career in Saginaw and was traded to the Kalamazoo Wings shortly after. He went on to spend the majority of his professional career in Kalamazoo. His Kalamazoo Wings jersey was recently retired, one of only six jerseys to be retired in the team’s history, and it will stand as a lasting legacy in Brent’s honor. He is the only player in the 50 year history of K-wings to receive the IHL MVP award.

Brent met Kathy in 1982, they went their separate ways, and some time passed. Then, in 1995 Brent and Kathy reconnected. The rest was history. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Brent and Kathy were married in 2000 at La Cantina in Paw Paw. In his jersey retirement speech years later, he would affectionately say that Kathy was the sweetest woman he had ever met.

Brent opened a sporting goods store in 1985 and remained in Kalamazoo for the rest of his life. He joined forces with Paul Pickard, former K-Wing player and general manager, to open a hockey school in Kalamazoo in 1989 and went on to coach youth hockey for over 20 years in West Michigan. He thrived in his role as a father, and he was very involved in the lives of his children, Clare and Blake. He was known for coaching Blake’s travel hockey teams as well as his high school team. Brent was always willing to work hard to provide for his family as well. He worked as a technician in the cellular business for over 15 years. Once he was nearing retirement he continued in his entrepreneurial nature and opened a roof, siding, and window cleaning business.

Brent was so proud to watch his kids go on to college. He wanted nothing more than to see them succeed in life. In April of 2023, Brent was thrilled to become a grandfather. His granddaughter, Audrey, brought out a softer side, and she brought so much joy and light to each and every day. Brent cherished his family above all else.

If there was one thing Brent and Kathy enjoyed doing, it was traveling. They embarked on memorable trips each summer as a family, and over the years. Though most trips revolved around hockey, they were memorable times together as a family. Brent’s retirement dream was to travel with his RV. Brent and Kathy spent the winter months of 2023 and 2024 traveling cross country in the RV, bringing Brent’s retirement dream to life.

A man of many interests and talents, Brent was known as the grill master, enjoyed landscaping and tending to his yard, as well as a casual game of golf with friends. He hosted pool parties every year that would be the talk of the town, and he was known to often surprise his loved ones with thoughtful gifts and acts of kindness. He had an unfailing can-do attitude that served him well, in hockey and in life, and he always kept his word.

Brent Jarrett always made sure to hold his loved ones close through it all. He was a constant source of strength, and he was well known for his great advice and generous heart. Brent was never afraid to speak his mind. His leadership and service to his community allowed him to impact the lives of countless others. Life will not be the same, but Brent leaves behind a legacy for his loved ones to treasure in his memory.

Brent Jarrett of Paw Paw, age 65, died on February 1, 2025 after battling aggressive brain cancer. Surviving are his wife, Kathy; children: Clare (Jakob) Berzins and Blake Jarrett (Sweta); granddaughter, Audrey; mother, Lee; siblings: Lorne (Dianne) Jarrett, Rod (Sandra) Jarrett, and Jamie (Dave) Freamon; sister-in-law, Mary Pistor; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Lorne Sr. and brother, Bart.

Please join us for a Life Story Visitation on Monday, February 10, from 3-5 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A Life Story Service will begin at 5 PM. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center where food, drinks, and stories can be shared.

Celebrate Brent’s life online by sharing favorite stories and photos on his dedicated web page at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial donations to Mary Free Bed, Centrica Care Navigators, or Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association.

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