Jeff was born in Ironton, MO., November 4, 1945, to James Alexander Brent and Catherine Chloe (Scott) Brent. At a young age he moved with his mother and two sisters to Northern California. He graduated from Berkely High School in 1963, then went on to San Jose State College, graduating in 1968. He studied journalism but soon decided it wasn’t for him.
Jeff served in the Army National Guard Reserves of Nevada and California from 1968 to 1974. He served as a Medical Corpsman and was a member of the 12th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Jeff loved being outdoors. In 1971 he started working for a prominent guide and outfitter, which eventually led him to become a professional guide and outfitter, specializing in mountain lion and black bear hunts. His career in the wildlife damage management profession started in 1974, in the Ely, Nevada, District of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as a lion hunter, and from there he worked in various wildlife damage management capacities for county, state, and federal agencies, as well as doing mountain lion management research. He retired from Wildlife Services as Supervisory Wildlife Biologist in Oregon in 2007.
During his retirement he wrote a book about some of his hunting experiences, titled ‘Saddle Leather, Canyon Country and Lion Hounds – Pursuing Lions in the American West’. His passion was the pursuit and study of mountain lions.
Jeff had a deep, solid faith in the Lord, and always encouraged others to ask the Lord for direction in their lives. He had a big, kind heart and would help others out whenever he could.
Survivors include his wife, Kay, in Electric City, WA.; son Daniel (NaTasha) Brent in Sacramento, CA.; sisters Chloe Hestorff, Klamath Falls, OR., and Lynn (Herb) Brendlen, Saratoga, CA.; brothers Dave (Lesa) Brent, Nampa, ID., and Dan (Xochitl) Brent, Redwood City, CA.; grandchildren Michael and Emily Brent, Sacramento, CA.; and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at the Weippe Cemetery in Weippe, ID., on September 18, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
