Kevin Grant Brooks

Kevin Grant Brooks (né Kevin Grant Sarna) age 54, lost his life in a tragic accident while working on the family’s vehicle. He was born in Rochester, Minnesota to Germaine (Lauer) and Paul Sarna. He grew up in the Phoenix area, attended McClintock High School in Tempe, AZ, and graduated from Arizona State University. Kevin worked for himself most of his life as a computer network engineer, helping clients that ranged from international corporations like News Corp (owner of the Fox media brands), to local businesses, to his neighbors and relations. Kevin enjoyed reading every science fiction book he could get his hands on, watching movies, playing poker, woodworking, cheering for the LA Kings, and helping people. And how he helped. If Kevin knew you needed a hand with a network connection, a modem glitch, chaperoning a dance, choosing a new computer, figuring out your phone, lifting something heavy, using the laser cutter, braiding your hair, coaching something, repairing your bicycle, teaching you how to replace your brakes or change your oil or build a computer, making a slide show, holding your baby, framing a building, or impressing your boss, he would cheerfully pitch in, cracking jokes all the while. Kevin was a fundamentally kind man who took great joy in erasing the frustrations of others. Kevin’s most ardent and abiding passion was for his wife of 21 years, Arizona; and their children, Grant (18) and Kit (15). His wife was his babydoll, and he would have gladly crawled over flaming broken glass to bring her a lemonade. They met in 1996 when he was contracted in to the corporate offices of Guess Jeans in Los Angeles, where she was the IT Projects Manager. They were assigned a project together, setting up reliable connections to the Hong Kong office, and spent many weeks working side-by-side. The spark was immediate, and led to Kevin bringing an extra helmet to work so they could zip around on his motorcycle through LA’s Garment District together at lunch. She talked, he listened, they loved. In June of 2001, they eloped to the Big Island of Hawaii and married with their toes in the sand and only the minister and photographer to witness. They continued to grow in devotion through times both blissful and difficult. Kevin’s children were always a top priority. He left his home out west and a clientele he spent years building in order to live a simpler life that would allow him to spend every possible day with his children. He fed and diapered, played and read, wrestled and cuddled. As they grew, Kevin volunteered in the preschool, coached every session of soccer, introduced them to t-ball, coached (and stepped up as commissioner of) Fitness Center baseball for many years. He indulged Kit’s stylistic choices, introduced Grant to the world of video games, and was a steady and firm presence every single day. He learned how to french braid, and always made sure Kit’s hair was how she wanted it. He encouraged her love of math and science and got her to promise she would send him into space one day. He saw himself in Grant, and worked hard to help him manage hurdles even before they arose. He guided his son with patience and unshakeable confidence in him. His children made Kevin’s heart shine with love and pride overflowing. He never wanted to make things too easy on them, but was always on hand with support through any encountered difficulty. Their lives are forever changed. In addition to his wife and children, Kevin leaves behind his parents, Paul Sarna, Chris Kancler, and Germaine Sarna; his younger sister Jennifer (Rick) Hinkley, and her children Kate, Mason, Logan, Nathan, and Olivian. He will be missed by longtime friends across the country as well as by so many in the small community he adopted as his own. Kevin was adamant in not wanting a funeral or even a memorial service, but those who love him will be hosting a showing of his favorite movie, “The Fifth Element” at the State Theater cinema in Central City Nebraska at 6:30pm on Memorial Day, May 30. All are welcome. If you are not able to be at the showing, Kevin would love if you settled down at home with a copy of the movie, some sushi or a stack of beef-n-cheddars, some Dew or Monster, and experienced some of his favorite things. Instead of sending flowers, Kevin would’ve preferred you honor him by putting down a bet in Vegas or taking a kid to a hockey game. Not your style? Write a “Letter to Kevin” sharing anything you may have left unsaid (send to PO Box 141 Central City, NE 68826). Showing his commitment to caring for his family always, he left behind a cushion for them, but any donated funds will be put toward his kids’ education.

Kevin Grant Brooks

October 29, 1967 - April 29, 2022