Brent was born on April 12, 1960, to Raymond L. and Wanda J. (Sietmann) Smith. He graduated from SEMCO in 1978 where he participated in band and all-state choir all four years and played football and baseball, where he earned multiple all-conference awards playing as catcher for the team. Following his graduation, he attended Marshalltown Community College and Iowa State University. After school, Brent returned to the family farm to work alongside his dad and Gramp raising livestock and farming. In 1999, he was united in marriage to Chanel England and to this union they proudly welcomed their son, Eli whom they continued to co-parent after their divorce in 2013. In 2017, he met his soulmate, Debbie Dugan, who then lovingly devoted herself to caring for Brent after his terminal diagnosis.

Brent was a lifelong active member of the Laurel United Methodist Church where he was involved in countless activities. His passions through life included skeet shooting, trapping, hunting, scrap metal recycling, attending auctions throughout the state where auctioneers knew him well, driving demolition derby cars, stock car racing and was the family historian. His greatest passions, however, were raising his son and his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and sharing the Word of God.

Brent’s memory will be honored by his son, Eli Smith, of Knoxville; his sister, Brenda (Jeff) Arnold, of State Center; his brother, Brad (Kathy) Smith, of Cedar Rapids; his nieces and nephews: Dani (Andrew) Haskenhoff, Tanner (Cydnie) Arnold, Sacora and Zachary Smith; great niece and nephews: Lennon, Camden and Brecken Haskenhoff; his life partner, Debbie Dugan, of Laurel, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Brent is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond L. and Wanda J. Smith, Grandparents, his Uncle Larry Keese and his loyal dog, Marley, that passed just four days prior.