Thomas Ray Brentano

Thomas Ray Brentano died peacefully at the Salt Lake City VA Hospital surrounded by family and an incredible staff of nurses and doctors. Tom was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Gist (Gastrointestinal Stromal tumor), on August 25th of 2020 and died exactly 2 years later on August 25th of 2022. Although his cancer was very aggressive, Tom continually put up one hell of a fight! He went through two major surgeries, four different chemo medications, and several holistic therapies and a completely different strict nutritional diet. He fought hard, and still wanted to fight all the way to the last week of his life. But, God had different plans for him and it was time to go home. Tom was born in Atchison Kansas to Bernard Henry Brentano and Elizabeth "Beth" Helen Lyons December 25, 1947. He was the 4th oldest out of 10 kids and always remained close with his mother (who passed in February 2014) and his siblings which all remain in Kansas but one. Shortly after Highschool graduation, Tom enlisted in the Army just prior to being drafted. He spent 3 years in the Army and one year in Vietnam where he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne division. There he played a critical role in keeping the helicopters in the air by keeping the lines of communication open with repairing and maintaining the helicopter radio's . Tom was awarded a Bronze Star for his military time, but was incredibly humble, and very few people knew of his military honors. Tom gained lifelong friends in the military, some of which he remained friends with for over 54 years.

After his Military service and return home, Tom moved to Denver Colorado to attend the Denver Institute of Technology where he would become an Electronics Engineer. Shortly after, he met his first wife Janell. They moved to SLC, Utah when Tom was offered a job with GE Medical. Tom and Janell had their first and Tom's only child Megan. Tom spent the rest of his career in Utah, dedicating 44 years to GE Medical. He fixed and maintained Hospitals Radiology Imaging equipment such as CT scanners, PET scanners and nuclear equipment as a Field Service Engineer. Thomas was incredibly good at his job and highly respected by his peers, he also mentored many other field service engineers. Tom's first marriage was relatively short and several years later he would meet his second wife Judith, in which they remained married for 33 years.

Throughout the years some of Tom's favorite pastimes were playing basketball, racketball, family baseball games, playing guitar with friends, Liverpool rummy, road trips and spending most weekends with his daughter (Megan) his two grandkids Taybree and Trever and of course his grand dogs. (All of which completely adored him.)

Tom was always helping Megan with home projects, playing with the dogs, watching sports or Blue Bloods (their favorite) and enjoying Sunday dinner. He had a love of all types of music, and movies, he was an avid reader and book collector as well as a big sports fan. Tom, Megan and his sister Susan tried to do a yearly road trip to his home town in Kansas to visit family, there everyone would come together and celebrate life. It was always a huge family event and will never be the same without him. Anyone who knew Thomas loved him, he truly was the sweetest and kindest person you could ever meet. He always greeted everyone with sincere delight and happiness. Tom's smile, kindness, honesty, empathy, since of humor and ability to listen, will never be forgotten.

Per Tom's wishes there will not be a formal service in his memory. Celebration of his life will be held at a future date in Kansas with family. Tom is preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Beth his oldest brother Jim (and his wife Grace). He is survived by his wife (Judith), daughter (Megan), siblings and grandkids.

We would also like to thank the outstanding and compassionate care Tom received from his oncology surgeon, Dr. Tawnya Bowels at IHC, and the SLC VA Palliative care team, Doctors and Nurses that took incredible care of Thomas in his last days.