Brent Coleman Richards, 85, of Herriman, Utah, passed away at home surrounded by family on August 26, 2023. Born on December 20th, 1937, in Waterbury, Connecticut to Dorothy Leola Smith & Glenn Orin Richards Sr. He learned the trade of shoe repair and shoe making as a child and worked in that industry for many years, later owning multiple shoe repair businesses. Brent moved out west and settled in Utah to start the family he always dreamt of. He met and married Sally Smith and they welcomed two children, Amy & James. They later divorced. He then met the love of his life, Charlotte Lynne Williams, and they were married July 28, 1978. She brought to their marriage her two daughters Kim & Kelly and together they welcomed two more daughters, Dott & Maggy, creating their own version of The Brady Bunch. His passion to learn lasted throughout his life; he was always reading and studying everything from theology to calculus to cooking. He graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Philosophy. His love of his community and politics drove him to run for public office where he served as Riverton City Councilman and later as a State Senator. While in office he had many accomplishments such as directing the correct use of funds to establish Homestead Park in Riverton, writing a bill to make American Sign Language an official state language in Utah, 30 years ahead of other states. He helped pass a bill to get Highway Patrolman their highest raise in state history and was instrumental in saving taxpayer money by avoiding a bond for the new Matheson Courthouse.
He established and operated BC Richards All American Blinds with his wife, Charlotte, for twenty years and later worked for Extend Health where he kindly helped people understand and navigate their transition to Medicare. He was the King of Dad jokes, what we called Brentano-isms, cracking jokes to his last breath. He was an avid and brilliant chess player and taught many of his children and grandchildren to play. Brent was deeply spiritual and loved his Savior. In 2018 he was recognized by the Episcopal Church for being an Episcopalian for 80 years.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Charlotte, their 6 children: Kim Steel (Leonard), Kelly O’Donnell (Mike), Amy Jensen (John), James Richards (Uliana), Dott McLaughlin (David), and Maggy Richards, 23 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 3 half-brothers, Glenn, Art, and Bob. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Wade. We will always love and miss you Dear Ol’ Dad.
The funeral service will be Thursday August 31 at 2:00 pm with a viewing preceding the service beginning at noon, at Larkin Mortuary at 3688 W. 12600 S. in Riverton. Interment at Riverton City Cemetery, 1500 W. 13200 S. The family would like to express their appreciation to all who’ve helped and supported us during this difficult time. Go Utes!!
For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom. Please click on the watch services link above.
My brother Brent in the 1950’s was a cool dude who wore blue suede shoes and had thick dark brown hair with a DA cut. He enjoyed studying math, space and questioning theories concerning the universe. He also loved to prove that he was almost always right about any given subject. He was blessed with a wonderful large family and he would do anything for them. Way to go my brother Brent. You lived a busy productive life and you should be proud! Love, your brother Glenn
Thank you Brent for your many posts on UBron, I have enjoyed them all from subject to subject.
I wish you a pleasant journey inward and upward, and when time comes i hope to meet you.
I send you my warmest positive vibrations of Light, Life and Love and wish you safe arrival.
I am named after Brent. Brent and my father were friends back in the early 1960’s. My father and uncle had a trio band and Brent frequented the nightclub in down town Waterbury Connecticut where they preformed and this is how they met. He also dated my aunt for a while. I only met him twice when I was a little boy and of course I always remembered because I knew I was named after him and he was a nice guy. I also knew he moved out to Utah. My father just loved his name. About 6 years ago or so I got a message through Facebook from him asking me if I knew who he was. I told him of course, because I was named after him. We had several discussions and he told me a lot about where he grew up in the lower North End of Waterbury, reminded me that he dated my aunt, and many other stories about my father and him hanging out. I just talked with Brent shortly before my trip up to the US, about 6 weeks ago, as I live in Brazil now. We had a long phone call and it was great as always to talk to him. He was in good spirits as always. He was a very accomplished and successful man. My prayers and best wishes go out to his wife and large family. He will surely be missed by many including me.