Printed in the Desert Valley Times, January 18, 2011
Saying Farewell to a Genial Coach
by Bob Snell
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and coaching with him for the last 16 years since he came to Mesquite with his lovely wife, Laurie, and young family to teach and coach at Virgin Valley High School.
Not only was he a fellow coach but more importantly, he was a friend. Someone I could ask for advice on a range of topics from coaching to life in general. I always enjoyed talking with Brent.
Unfortunately, I won’t get that opportunity anymore.
After battling a nasty illness for almost two years, Brent passed away last Thursday night at home surrounded by his loving family.
On Monday, on an unusually warm, sun-splashed winter day, Brent was laid to rest at the Mesquite City Cemetery following his funeral that was attended by family, friends, co-workers, former players and students both current and former.
The number of people who attended his funeral was testament to how well liked Brent Thurston was.
Not once in all the years that I have known this man have I heard anyone say bad things about him personally. Oh, sure, coaches inevitably will hear from disgruntled parents concerning their child who can do no wrong in their eyes. Those of us in the coaching profession have dealt with this problem at one time or another. Brent was no different than any other coach.
How he handled such problems, however, was the same way he approached everything else – calm, low-keyed and respectful.
I had the pleasure of coaching baseball at VVHS with Brent on the varsity level for two years and also was his junior varsity coach for four years. I remember those long bus rides home from Ely and Pahrump and the long talks we would have and the laughs we would share.
I also remember the pranks and jokes we would pull on players or other coaches at practices or team functions.
Brent was a steak and potato man. I can remember when we were participating at the state baseball tournament in Yerington; we stayed across the street from a place that offered a one-pound New York steak dinner for just $4.99. In the four days we stayed in Yerington, we ate steak every night.
I tried my best to convert him to eating Italian food. When I coached the freshman girls basketball team and he coached the freshmen boys, our team parties were usually at his house. I would always make a ton of pasta. I rarely, if ever, brought any pasta back home.
I also had the pleasure of coaching two of Brent’s daughters – Melissa for freshmen basketball and Brittany for junior varsity softball.
When Brent got out of coaching, he still would ride his four-wheeler over to watch our baseball or soccer games, sitting under the shade of a tree. I would make it a point to go talk with him before or after the games.
Not many people know Brent played on state championship soccer teams at Rancho High School in North Las Vegas. I never missed a chance to ask him for his thoughts at halftime or after our matches he would attend.
I really enjoyed talking with Brent. Even the past two years at the middle school when his health was not good, he would make it down to my room for a chat. I could tell he wasn’t feeling well but he didn’t want to talk about his health. He wanted to know how my soccer team was doing and how my family was.
The last time I saw him was right before Christmas break at school. We had a brief but nice talk. I will really miss those visits.
Brent’s death has hit home hard with me. Just two weeks ago my sister passed away in Salt Lake City after battling an aggressive form of leukemia. Even though we knew what the outcome would be, when it happens, it’s still a jolt. Kind of leaves you with a hollow feeling.
A lot of the emotions I had at my sister’s funeral were running through me at Brent’s funeral.
Two funerals in two weeks is not the way to start a new year. But somehow knowing that both are not suffering anymore brings solace.
Rest well — you will be missed.
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