Celebration of Life & Memorial For Our Dear Friend Brent Espe

Come celebrate the life of one of our very favorite people, Brent Espe.  Share a story, give some hugs, and let's have a cold one in his honor.  We will open at 1pm

"Encircled by loved ones, Brent Eugene Espe, of Northlake, Texas, passed away peacefully November 18, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 74.

Brent was born August 2, 1950, to Orvin “Hook” & Chloris “Connie” Espe in Eldora, Iowa. He grew up in Radcliffe, Iowa, where the family owned the Chatterbox Cafe. Tagging alongside his beloved brother Bruce, Brent adored baseball and music, passions this joyful freckled boy would pursue the rest of his life. The Espes regularly visited friends in Texas, where Brent formed an unbreakable bond with the Lone Star State.

Brent graduated in 1968 from Radcliffe High School, where he played baseball and drummed for the pep, stage, and marching bands. He also played drums in high school garage bands, once performing at the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.

Brent attended Ellsworth Junior College and Mankato State University. He later earned a licensed vocational nursing certificate from North Central Texas College.

After college, Brent played drums professionally, most notably with country-western act The Duane Medlin Band in the 1970s. As the house band, the group performed nightly at the Top Rail Ballroom in Dallas, Texas, and recorded an album of original songs. Following his music career, Brent worked as a printer, exterminator, and nurse.

Brent married Debbye Edging on June 13, 1987, honeymooning in San Antonio, Texas. Brent, eschewing a phobia of flying, treated his wife to a luxurious vacation in Hawaii, a memory the couple cherished. They lived in Hickory Creek, Texas, for many years and later Corinth, Texas.

Brent treasured live music, especially shows at Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton, Texas. A lifelong sports fan, he rooted faithfully for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Iowa Hawkeyes. He proudly boasted his Norwegian heritage and red tresses. Coming of age during the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam War, Brent remained committed to political and social causes.

Brent was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2022. Overcoming impossible odds, he continued an active social life, attending Texas Rangers games as well as concerts by Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones. He spent holidays with his children and grandchildren. He welcomed visits from his brother, cousins, and many friends.

Brent was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Debbye. He is survived by his brother, Bruce; son, Troy (Megan) Espe; daughters Sara Espe, Sarah Espe, and Megan (Keiron) Fraser; grandchildren Orion (Miranda) Lindner, Kaleb Lindner, Josh Anderson, Payton Espe, and Jordan Fraser; niece, Keeta Link; and nephew, Seth Espe.

A celebration of life will be held at Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton, Texas
1-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2024
Dan’s Silverleaf
103 Industrial St.
Denton, TX 76201"