Brent Allen Connatser
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Brent Allen Connatser, age 57, passed away January 22, 2021, at Park West Medical Center from complications related to COVID-19. Brent leaves behind his wife Gayle; mother Patricia; children Grace (Zach), Matthew, and Erich (Jessica); granddaughter Jaina; siblings Pam (Andy), Belinda, Brad (Farinah), and Paige (Brian); nephew Chad; niece Melanie; and beloved dogs Nico, Mario, and Maria. He was preceded in death by his father Raymond Connatser.
Brent was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, and spent the majority of his life there. He was a second-generation employee of Dow Chemical (formerly Rohm & Haas) for 25 years. He had an infectious sense of humor and an ability to make people laugh loud and hard, even if the timing wasn't always appropriate. He loved 70s rock and was the self-proclaimed Official #1 Fan of the Doobie Brothers. He was dedicated and hardworking, and he took a great deal of pride in everything he did, believing that anything worth doing was worth doing well. He was passionately devoted to his family, particularly his children, and would drop everything at a moment's notice to be there for someone in need. When he was not at work, he prided himself on an immaculate garage, a well-kept lawn, and perfectly-executed home repairs. He enjoyed making his own delicious craft beer, brewing espresso, grilling, taking one-day road trips with no itinerary, watching the NFL Red Zone, and - in spite of some disappointing seasons - rooting for University of Tennessee football. He believed in justice, equality, and always doing what was right, no matter the cost. He was not only a fierce advocate of human rights but he was also a champion for animals, especially dogs. His little buddy Mario is particularly lost without him.
Brent had beautiful blue eyes that had a magical way of drawing people in. In his weeks in the hospital, his eyes communicated to his wife Gayle everything that he could not speak. His loss leaves a vacuous hole in the lives of everyone who knew and loved him. Our lives will simply never be the same.
His wife Gayle wishes to express sincere appreciation to the CCU staff at Fort Loudoun Medical Center in Lenoir City, TN, and Park West Medical Center in Knoxville, TN, who made it possible for her to spend every single day with Brent while he was in the hospital. Although her hope was for him to recover and come home, those precious days she spent with him in the CCU were an incredible gift. She also appreciates the special support she received from Brent's ex-wife Traci Vincent whose nursing background was a tremendous resource for her while he fought his illness. Special appreciation is also extended to Laura Johns, Senior Site Director at Dow Chemical in Knoxville, for her overwhelming compassion and support during Brent's hospitalization. In addition, Gayle's HR colleagues at Leidos have shown what a true work family looks like. Their ongoing love, support, and caring spirits have meant the world to her.
Although there will not be a service at this time, the family will celebrate Brent's life at an outdoor venue in the early spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Young-Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919 or online at https://www.young-williams.org/donations/. Click Funeral Home & Cremations - Tellico Village Chapel is serving the family of Brent Connatser. www.clickfuneralhome.com