Jerry Wayne Brents

A celebration of life will be held for Jerry Wayne Brents, 65, who, surrounded by his family, peacefully passed away at 5:50 PM Thursday, March 29, 2007. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 2, 2007 at 12:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Lafayette. The family requests that visiting hours be observed Sunday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Delhomme Funeral Home on Bertrand and continue Monday at First Baptist Church of Lafayette from 10:00 AM until time of service at 12:00 PM. Reverend Steve Horn, Pastor at First Baptist Church of Lafayette, will conduct the funeral services. Reverend Perry Sanders, Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church of Lafayette will assist at the services. Interment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery, Ada, Oklahoma. A 2:00 PM service will be held Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at Criswell Funeral Home Chapel in Ada, Oklahoma (580-332-6181). Visitation will be observed Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Mr. Brents, a native of Fittstown, Oklahoma and long time resident of Lafayette, was the son of the late John Harrison Brents and the former Opal Posey both of Hickory, Oklahoma. Jerry W. Brents was born November 10, 1941. He was raised on his family ranch at Fittstown, Oklahoma. He attended McLish School and graduated East Central State University in Ada with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting/General Business. He went on to earn certification as a CPA. He served as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Tucson, and New Orleans before moving to Lafayette. He came to Lafayette to work at The First National Bank of Lafayette where he served as President and CEO. He was appointed, and served a three-year term, to the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans Branch. After leaving First National Bank, Jerry organized the First Louisiana Holding Company and Federal Savings Bank. The last 15 years of his life were spent working side by side with his wife, Judi, and daughter, Julie, operating American Check Cashers. Community service was important to Jerry and through the years he worked with many organizations to make a difference to people in the Lafayette area. He served on the University of Southwestern Board of Trustees and was appointed UL Foundation Board Member Emeritus. He was a Board Member, President and Campaign Chairman of United Givers Fund of Lafayette; Commission Chairman, Lafayette Airport Commission; Board Member and First Vice President, Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce; Vice Chairman, Cajundome/Auditorium Management Board; Board Member Lafayette Juvenile Youth Association; and Lafayette General Hospital Board of Trustees. He served on the Board of the National Check Cashers Association and Financial Service Centers of America. Jerry was a man of God and now he is in God's house. Toward the end of his life his mission field was his hospital room. His keen sense of humor gave him the ability to make people around him laugh, feel welcome and comfortable. It's impossible to think about Jerry without smiling at what he would say and how he would say it. He had a gift of wit and of words. If you were looking for counsel, no finer man of integrity or honesty could you find. He was a giving person and many people have been the beneficiary of Jerry's giving nature. He was an entrepreneur at heart, always open to new ideas and enjoyed the latest technology, especially gadgets! You always knew where you stood when you were dealing with him. He stood up for what he believed in. Many of his most peaceful times were spent flying in his plane either alone or on family trips. Jerry was a family man. He was a loving husband and father and his devotion to his family was unquestionable. All those whose lives he touched will miss him. Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Judi Brents of Lafayette; two daughters, Jamie Lynn Brents McCrary and husband, Keller of Plano, Texas and Julie Kay Brents Bouligny and husband, Joe of Lafayette; three grandchildren, Kathryn Elizabeth McCrary, Joseph Daniel Bouligny, III and Brenlyn Kay Bouligny; two sisters, Peggy Newcombe of Ada, Oklahoma, Johnie Glenn of Healdton, Oklahoma, and his special caregiver, his brother-in-law, David Raper of Marietta, Georgia. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Pallbearers will be David Raper, Keller McCrary, Joe Bouligny, John David Raper, Clay Smith, Ted Carmichael, Dan Menard, Richard Mitchell, Monte Newcombe, Mike Newcombe, Gary Glenn and Terry Glenn. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry's Sunday School Class, Pete Rush, Andy Hartiens, Joe Stanford, Eldon Flinn, Farrell Large and Larry Large. Jerry and his family are eternally grateful to Dr. Gene Brierre, Dr. Jody Rosson and each caregiver at Lafayette General Hospital Oncology Unit, not only for his exceptional physical care, but for the emotional and spiritual support as well. The special things each of you have done made Jerry feel genuinely loved and cared for and provided great comfort for his family. In lieu of flowers his family requests that memorial contributions may be made in the name of Jerry W. Brents to the Vision 71 Program at First Baptist Church of Lafayette, P.O. Box 3888, Lafayette, Louisiana 70502. . Personal condolences may be sent to the Brents family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of all funeral arrangements.

Jerry Wayne Brents

November 10, 1941 - March 29, 2007