Brent Craven

Brent H. Craven

Our husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Dr. Brent H. Craven—a true romantic, lover of life, laughter, family and friends—passed away suddenly in his home on the evening of February 7, 2015. Anyone who knew Brent was better because of it.

He loved his cars, his shoes, his movies, and his travel. Most of all, he liked to experience life with his family— especially with his wife, Dorothy. Willing to try anything, Brent had some close calls, whether that was tumbling dow n “10,000” USU’s stairs after a few too many, superman’ing into a 10-foot snow bank requiring a heroic rescue by his friend, or going on a moonlight joy ride that would destroy a snowmobile and take out an aspen tree.

In his life’s journey, he visited more than 30 countries and spent more than three years on foreign shores. His time treasuring experience and travel helped him become a person who could create a friendship with anyone and enjoy any environment; he embodied his life’s philosophy “Make Someone Happy.”

Brent was born in Salt Lake City on November 17, 1944 to Frank and Mary Craven. He was the youngest boy in a family of six: three sisters and two brothers. From day one, and throughout his life, Brent was a happy, fun-loving person who was easy to like and to love. He habitually found the good in others. Forever self-effacing, always humble, he was a joy to be around with his quick wit.

He graduated from Bountiful High School as an athlete, scholar, and student-body leader. He served in the Franco-Belgian LDS mission. He graduated from Utah State University where he was a Consul in the Sigma Chi Fraternity. In 1969, he married Mary Lou Broadbent, with whom he had three children—Andrea, Darin and Valerie. They were later divorced.

Brent completed his Doctor of Medical Dentistry education at the University of Louisville in Kentucky after which he completed a four-year assignment as a naval dentist in Sunnyvale, California. He moved back to Utah to establish his dental practice, Davis Dental Care, in Layton.

As a dentist, the two things that brought him the most happiness were the friendships he enjoyed with his patients and the gift of self-confidence he could give to a patient by creating a beautiful, healthy smile.

In 1986, Brent married Dorothy Seegmiler, the woman of his dreams. He also gained another daughter, Brittany. Brent and Dorothy established a home in Centerville filled with an abundance of peace, creativity, love, and companionship. It has been a gathering place where many of Brent’s treasured memories were shared with family and friends.

Although a man of great educational accomplishments, Brent found it was the simple things in life that fueled his imaginations and prolific writings— watching a beautiful sunset, gazing into the starry skies, being mesmerized by the beauty of a full moon, or sharing a quiet conversation with his beloved Dorothy.

Brent is survived by his wife Dorothy, daughter Andrea (Bart Green), daughter Brittany Seegmiller (Casey Thredgold), son Darin (Taylor Craven), daughter Valerie (Dustin Palmer). Five grandchildren: Lily, Ella, Noah, Hank, and Eva. Siblings: Frank and Angie (Ken Lovell). Brent was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Craven, his brothers Sam and Sherman, and sisters Beth Barker and Carol Hasler.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am,  Friday February 13, 2015 at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 North 400 East, Bountiful UT 84010, where friends, family, and fans may visit, Thursday from 6 to 8 pm and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the service.  Interment Centerville City Cemetery. As an alternative to flowers, if you wish to remember Brent in a special way, please make donations to www.worldvisiongifts.org .