Brent Ryan Elser

Brent Ryan Elser, our beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, passed away on September 23, 2021, after a long, brave, strong fight for his life. Brent was born on February 25, 1986, to Neal and Alison Elser. He was the youngest of four children, joining sister, Charise, and brothers Brad and Chad, making their family complete.

Brent attended and graduated in 2004 from Sheridan High School in Sheridan, Montana, where he was a phenomenal athlete. He participated in multiple sports, but his true passion lied in the game of basketball, where he was captain of the varsity team. He excelled at running the hurdles and belonged to numerous organizations, including honor society, student council, and S club. He would later attend Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, for two years.

Brent found his partner and husband, Tyler Smith, in May 2006 at the age of 20. After only three months of dating, Brent moved with Tyler to San Diego, California. While there, Brent finished his college education and attained a bachelor’s degree in marketing from California State University San Marcos.

Brent moved with Tyler to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2009. After working in the food service industry for several months, Brent was hired as a bartender at The Garage Las Vegas. Within a year, Brent was promoted to bar manager. Brent left The Garage in 2016 and worked as a leasing agent for a property management company. Brent was quickly promoted to assistant manager and finally manager. Brent worked as an apartment community manager for Cushman & Wakefield at the time of his passing.

After seven years together, Brent and Tyler were married on August 23, 2013. This was prior to marriage equality becoming the law of the land, so they travelled to Washington, D.C., where gay marriage was legal, and wed in a small ceremony at the tidal basin in our nation’s capital. Their wedding reception took place in October 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. That party remains legendary to this day.

Brent was an accomplished home cook and mixologist. He was particularly proud of his pear martini, smoked ribs, Montana potatoes, and collard greens. Brent loved to entertain, and he was very fond of receiving compliments when it came to his cuisine.

After moving to Las Vegas, Brent and Tyler joined the Las Vegas Gay Softball League. Brent played primarily in the outfield, but also played pitcher, catcher, second base and first base. He played a season in the D-Division, and then co-founded a new C-Division team called the Las Vegas Card Sharks. After Brent began working for The Garage, he helped to establish and eventually coached another new team called the Las Vegas Grease Monkeys. The high point of Brent’s softball career came in 2014, when he guided the Grease Monkeys to a North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance Softball World Series Championship in Dallas, Texas.

Brent loved his Vegas Golden Knights. As season ticket holders, he and Tyler attended over 100 games together. They had not been hockey fans before, but they fell in love with the game and team on day one. As an avid supporter of women’s sports, he also loved his Las Vegas Aces and dragged his husband kicking and screaming to several games.

Brent also loved Harry Potter, game nights with friends, traveling and obscenely large designer sunglasses. What Brent loved above all else was spending time with his family. His quick wit, his love of life, his kind heart and competitive spirit will truly be missed.

Brent is survived by his husband Tyler Smith of Las Vegas, Nevada; mother Alison Elser of Sheridan, Montana; sister Charise Harrington (Kyle) of Evergreen, Colorado; brother Brad Elser (Jenifer) of Sheridan, Montana; brother Chad Elser of Sheridan, Montana; grandmother Peggy Elser of Idaho Falls, Idaho; father- and mother-in-law Monte and Genie Smith of Belgrade, Montana; sisters-in-law April Clark (Tom) and Jennifer Fennema (Jason) of Las Vegas, Nevada; nieces Riley Harrington and Faith Luke; nephews Carson Harrington, Chase Fitzpatrick, Garrett and Nathan Fennema, Gage and Cooper Luke, Liam Clark; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Brent was preceded in death by his father Neal Elser; grandparents Walt and Jean Taborski; and grandfather Wesley Elser.

For those who wish to make a charitable donation in lieu of flowers, donations in Brent’s name may be made to the LGBTQ Community Center of Southern Nevada at www.thecenterlv.org

Memorial and Celebration of Life services will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021 at Palm Eastern Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89123. Visitation will begin at 5 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the Elser family.