This last year we have experienced a few losses of people we cared deeply for, but last week was a loss that hit us very hard. Brent Thurgood, a friend and our ranch manager for many many years, died suddenly, but peacefully of a hear attack at age 49.
A tough cowboy with a heart of gold.
Sharing his love for nature with the kids...
BRENT THURGOOD
HOLDEN:
I can't remember a time in my life without Brent. He has always been there since I can remember. When I think of fishing, Alaska, a true county boy or a real cowboy, I will always think of Brent. I remember learning he always wore jeans, nothing else. He even wore his jeans and hat in the lake when he tried to water ski behind the jets skiis on the ranch. He offered such practical wisdom and a contrast to the face pace of life in LA. Being in Spain, it doesn't seem real that Brent won't be around this summer on our annual trip to Alaska.
LUKE:
"Brent was so funny and I always felt myself laughing around him. One of our funniest memories of Brent was when he brought dogs to Los Angeles to help my Dad track some Lions for the LA County State Park. Before we went home we stopped at a shopping center in Malibu to get some food. We parked his big truck next to a local pet store that sells 2,000 dollar diamond collars for mini poodles, furry leopard dog beds and pink cupcake looking dogs treats. It wasn't long before the dogs in the back of the truck started fighting, Brent walked over to his truck and started yelling shut the f**k while hitting the dogs to break up the fight. The locals at the shopping center gasped in shock while Brent broke up the fight, he could care less what people thought of him, he loved his dogs and i loved his straight shooter personality.
ANDREA:
Brent was always supportive of Ricky and I. I was always grateful that he had Brent as his closest true friend. Brent and Ricky bonded in their love for the outdoors and animals. I always loved how much love and attention Brent gave each one of my kids. He had a real and separate relationship with all of them and he was a positive influence on each one of them. He taught them about nature and this has been a nice to balance them growing up in Los Angeles. Brent will be deeply missed by all of us.
Dear Julie and Family,
It was 1992 and I was talking hounds with this guy from Utah named Brent I had never met. I'm not sure who found who, but I'm glad we found each other. We would talk for hours about the benefits of one breed versus another. We finally made a plan to meet up and go for a hunt. Brent drove thru the night after work and arrived for an early morning lion hunt. We were immediate friends and Brent made many trips to MesaMood ranch over the early years to hunt. He and I caught several lions in the canyons your looking at. Ladder Canyon was very good to us. We walked the bottoms of those canyons and listened to the sweet sound of our hounds trailing and then treeing. His red hound was the best hound I'd ever seen. Some times we'd get stuck and spend most of the day cursing as we dug the vehicle from the mud. Brent and I would push each other as hunters. We laughed alot, shared alot for guys, and loved each other like brothers. Brent is my best friend and always will be. Brent loved Mesa Mood and took care of it like his own. He loved my kids, especially my boys. Going to Alaska and fishing wasn't the same without Brent and my boys would always ask if Brent was going before agreeing to go. Brent made everything more fun. I love you Brent...I never told you that...but I know you knew it. I knew you loved me. Brent was one of the good guys. He had values, his word was solid, he loved his kids and adored his wife.
Your buddy forever,
Ricky
Brent J Thurgood 1960 ~ 2010
