Carl Brent Kartchner

Brent was born in Mesa, Arizona on February 1, 1947 to Henry Howard Kartchner and Mary Jo Ellsworth. In 1949, his family moved to Ontario, Oregon to farm the 400-acre ranch called “the Island.” It was here that Brent learned how to work hard. He was expected, even as a young kid to drive tractors, clear ditches, create furrows, and irrigate the fields. When he had free time he enjoyed waterskiing, fast cars, playing sports, exploring, fishing, and shooting his .22 rifle.

In high school, Brent worked hard enough to earn $2,550 to buy a new 1963 red Ford Galaxy 500, which was his pride and joy. His free time was spent fine tuning the engine and upgrading the tires to make it go as fast as possible. He would race frequently on the highway. Not many cars could hang with “The Screamer”, except for the black and white car with a red siren that pulled him over and took him to the small-town local jail where his dad had to come bail him out.

After high school, Brent attended BYU and Ricks College, where he earned a degree in Agronomy. He met the love of his life, Harriet Ann Defa, at BYU. They snow skied, danced, went to movies, and took long drives up into the beautiful canyons. They were married August 14, 1970 in Evanston, Wyoming.

Settling in the Pacific Northwest in 1971, Brent and Harriet raised their three children; Kami, Kolby, and Kelsey along the Columbia River. Weekends were spent waterskiing, camping, coaching sports, church outings, and learning the value of hard work. Always improving what was around him, he spent countless hours making his yard the most beautiful in the neighborhood; complete with ponds and extensive gardens, all built with his own two hands.

Brent was very entrepreneurial and started many businesses with his own ingenuity. He traveled and worked all over the world, mainly in Libya, Sudan, Mauritania, Egypt, and Belize. His love of farming helped provide many people with food security in their own countries. He was lucky to call many people of different cultures and languages his friends. He respected them greatly and they remained his devoted friends for decades, many of them helping his family after his death to bring closure after his unexpected and tragic passing in Libya.

Brent had a great love of country and was very proud to be in the United States Army National Guard from 1969 to 1974 as a tank commander. This example has led several of his grandchildren to careers in the military and law enforcement.

After living in Las Vegas from 1996 to 2004, Brent and Harriet moved to Kingwood, Texas where they remained until his death. Brent loved the weather and Houston afforded him many opportunities to take in the raw power of mother nature. He enjoyed a good rainstorm and if a hurricane was in the forecast, he could be found preparing for the storm by baking large batches of brownies in case the power went out.

Brent was known as the guy that could fix anything. After a series of hurricanes flooded Kingwood, his home was the drop off point for any appliance that went under water. He spent countless hours fixing lawn equipment and generators for his friends and family. His hobbies included learning new skills, growing beautiful plants, feeding the bees, hummingbirds, and the squirrels. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and loved attending the temple with Harriet. He did temple work for many years for Harriet’s Italian ancestors and we believe that he had quite the warm welcome from them when he passed on.

Brent spent a good part of his adult life writing a series of historical fiction books based mostly in Libya. The books follow a young man and his adventures running a farming project in the Sahara Desert. Filled with buried treasure, archeology, ancient wheat crops, Ghaddafi, the desert, lost love, and fast airplanes, he poured his vast knowledge into his writing and was able to self-publish the books so that his family and friends could enjoy them.

Most importantly, Brent was a friend to the friendless and the lonely. He sought out the one. His family was never surprised when a stranger might be at Thanksgiving dinner simply because Brent knew that they would be alone. He was compassionate, kind, the best nurse for the sick, hysterically funny, smart, and dedicated to his family. Even in his own suffering, he looked outside himself for those that he could help. This example is what was most important to his children. He leaves a legacy of Christlike love and ministering!

Brent is survived by his loving wife, Harriet, his three children and their spouses; Kami Jensen (Scott), Kolby Kartchner (Heidi), and Kelsey Call (Jared), his thirteen grandchildren; Tyler Jensen (Katie), Brooke Oppong (Jemaine), Karina Jensen, Leah Jensen, Logan Kartchner (Reagan), Mason Kartchner (Megan), Allie Kartchner, Rylie Kartchner, Preslie Kartchner, Blake Call (Marquelle), Kylee Call, Summer Call, and Bryson Call, and two great grandsons; Rome Oppong and Maverick Kartchner. He is preceded in death by his grandson, Jared Blake Call.

A celebration of life was held June 28, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kingwood, Texas, where his beautiful life of service and laughter was shared by his son-in-law, Scott Jensen, his daughters, Kami and Kelsey, and his good friend, Richard Harris.

A small memorial and spreading of ashes were held on the Alpine Loop in Provo, Utah as per his wishes.

The prayers, flowers, cards, meals, and presence of friends and family during this difficult time are deeply appreciated. The outpouring of love is a direct reflection of the way Brent lived his life — serving, lifting, and loving others.