Brent Sudweeks Obituary

Brent Lynn Sudweeks, born on June 14th, 1958, in Payson, Utah, graduated to heaven on February 24th, 2022, after a valiant battle against COVID-19. He was the youngest child of Verl and Venice Sudweeks. Growing up, Brent had a love for sports. He played football, basketball, baseball and held the state record for pole vaulting in track. He loved to have fun with his friends and get into more trouble than his parents probably wanted. In high school, Brent took an art class where he learned to do metalworking and jewelry setting. That art teacher brought him and a group of students up to Spencer Idaho and Brent fell in love with the lifestyle. This love led him to purchase an opal mine in Spencer.

After graduating from Payson High School in 1976, Brent moved to Washington to work with his older brother Mark. Brent met and fell in love with his wife Julie and her two kids Tiana and Carey. While in Washington, Brent worked for Asplundh doing logging and other masonry work throughout the state. After the death of his wife Julie, Brent moved to Spencer Idaho permanently to pursue opal mining full time.

While there, Brent met Bonita Ferguson and her daughter Jaquoy. The couple began their lives by buying property in Spencer and starting the family business Hot Rock Gems. In March of 1995, their daughter Karlie was born. In January of 1997, their son Chad was born. On February 5th, 1999, the couple got married in Laughlin Nevada. Brent enjoyed his time fishing, mining, raising his kids, and growing his business.

Brent was a hardworking, dedicated, stubborn man. Brent's true passion in life was opal mining and all things rocks. Anyone who talked to Brent, whether it be a lifelong friend or a customer in the rock shop, walked away with a whole lot of knowledge on rocks and just the true meaning of life. Brent also enjoyed fishing; honestly, he bled fishing. Fishing always brought him peace and joy and he was always bringing his friends to his favorite spots; some being Elk Lake, Sheep's creek, and the place he coined "Bonita's hole". Brent lived his life to the fullest and with humor. Brent was the king of razzing, but he did it with love. Brent had two mottos in life, "trust your vibes they never lie," and "laughter was the best medicine." Brent had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone.

Brent's unique spirit and his enormous love will be felt forever. Brent remained on this earth long enough to make a huge difference in everyone he met, and those who knew him are truly blessed for it. He will be remembered for his stories of a hardworking life, his passions for rocks, his love for fishing, and his zest for life. He was a true diamond in the rough and the heart of Spencer. He saw the truth in all matters and said it as it was. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Brent was preceded in death by: his parents Verl and Venice Sudweeks, second wife Julie Sudweeks, a nephew, and his sister Joan Worthington; as well as many friends who became more like family.

He is survived by: his wife Bonita Sudweeks, his children Karlie and Chad; his stepdaughter Jaquoy (Jeff) Gibson; his grandchildren Alexis and Riggin and a great-granddaughter Charlie; his brothers, Blake (Judy) Sudweeks; Mark (Cheryl) Sudweeks; Dan (Debbie) Sudweeks; a brother-in-law Boyd (Patricia) Worthington; as well as 21 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews; and countless friends who became more like family.

There will not be a viewing or funeral as Brent's wishes was to go onto the next chapter without a big hoopla. However, the family will host a small celebration of life in Spencer Idaho on April 16th. Brent's family will lay him to rest by spreading his ashes at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for you to make donations to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org/support in honor of "Dan Sudweeks" for donating a kidney to Brent and giving him a new lease on life and giving us six extra happy years with him.