Brent E. Overbey

Brent Evan Overbey was born to Tom and Betty Overbey of Douglass, Kansas on April 5th, 1958. He retired in the early hours of January 30th, 2024 from the career called “Life” at the officially sanctioned age of sixty-five in the city of Wichita. Vocationally, Brent spent twenty-six years in the employ of the industry that gave that city its nickname—“The Air Capital”—as he worked in several different capacities for Cessna Aircraft, the majority of which he spent in Manufacturing and Engineering.

Before receiving a life-threatening cancer diagnosis at the age of seventeen, Brent was a star athlete, playing prominent roles for both the Bulldogs’ football and basketball teams. After defying the odds and overcoming his illness, he continued to enjoy the sporting life. He engaged in hunting, fishing, and other recreational sports, in spite of facing serious health complications that arose from both his severe illness as well as its successful treatment.

Once his deteriorating health finally forbade him from participating in athletic endeavors, Brent nonetheless remained vicariously passionate about them. In addition to coaching at the youth-level and watching his children’s sporting events, he was an ardent, lifelong fan of our local college and professional teams, perpetually supporting the efforts of the Jayhawks, Wildcats, Shockers, and Chiefs. He enjoyed anything that kept score including the Little League World Series and the National Spelling Bee.

Additionally, Brent was an avid cinephile who enjoyed watching movies of all time periods and genres, though he always displayed a predilection for science fiction and fantasy, with his all-time favorite series being—Star Wars—which bears features of each genre. He had a big heart that lead to his love of Hallmark Christmas Movies, that he could be found watching at least three months out of the year.

Brent’s greatest joys in life were his family and his pets. His memory will be carried forward by family and friends who survive him, including his siblings: Rick Overbey and Peg Hatmaker (along with their spouses and his nephews: Cory and Dustin) his children: Aaron Overbey and Jen Calvert (along with their spouses and his grandchildren: Dexter, Daegan, and Eowyn), as well as his dogs: Chrissy and Ellie. Services will be held at Smith Mortuary in Derby, Kansas on Monday the twelfth day of February at 10 am. Graveside service will follow at Richland Cemetery west of Douglass. We welcome you at Brent’s home for lunch and reminiscing following the graveside service. Viewing time will be available on Sunday February 11th from 1-3 pm, because Brent would not have approved of it overlapping a Chief’s Super Bowl. Flowers are welcome, but should friends desire, contributions can be made to the Kansas Humane Society in Brent’s memory.