Obituary of Brett Brakel

Brett Alan Brakel passed away on April 24 in Thornton, Colorado after a three year battle with colorectal cancer.  Brett is survived by his wife Rachel and his three children, David (24), Aaron (21), and Allie (18) Brakel.  He is also survived by his mother, Karen Brakel, his brother, Russell Brakel (Melissa) and their three children, Breanna, Tyler, and Kaylynn.  Brett is preceded in death by his father, John Brakel, his grandparents Ella and William Burzlaff of Wheatland, Wyoming, and Henry and Nellie Brakel of Hurdsfield, North Dakota.  

Brett was the best husband and father that anyone could ask for.  His number one priority ALWAYS was his wife and kids. From driving Aaron and Allie all over the state to baseball and softball practices and games, to supporting David in his RC car racing, to getting up every single morning to feed the dogs and make Rachel coffee, Brett was there for all of us. Whenever we would meet one of Brett’s friends, they would always say that they felt like they knew us.  Brett was so proud of all three of his kids, and forever deeply in love with Rachel.  Brett also maintained a close relationship with his mother, Karen and his brother, Russ and his family.  He made it a priority to call Karen almost every day and Sunday dinners with Karen, Russ, and Russ’ family were frequent events. 

While family was Brett’s number one priority, teaching and coaching were a very close second.  Brett’s impact on everyone that he taught and coached was profound.  The number of beautiful memories that we have received since Brett died has filled our hearts and truly shown us how much he was loved.  Earlier this year, Brett was named the head baseball coach at Fort Lupton High School.  He was so proud and excited to be coaching baseball again and he loved the relationships that he had developed with both the players and the coaches.  

As a person, Brett had a tough exterior, but inside, he was all heart. It was not uncommon for Brett to share videos that touched him or to see his eyes filled with tears because of a movie or even a commercial!  He was a kid at heart and found so much joy in going to Disneyland, attending a wide variety of sporting events and going to the theater.  Brett loved Star Wars, cooking shows, and especially any show involving ghosts or ghost hunting!  Brett was a truly amazing man and we miss him tremendously.

Service, Sunday, Apr. 27^th, 12:30pm, Feldman Mortuary Chapel; interment Emanuel Cemetery; livestream available on Feldman Mortuary’s YouTube channel.

Contributions to: Brett Brakel Memorial Scholarship or American Cancer Society.