Jerry Holland Brent, 62

Jerry Holland Brent, 62, died quietly at home after a valiant fight against cancer on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and family.

A Fredericksburg native, he graduated from James Monroe High School and was a graduate of the McIntire School of Commerce of the University of Virginia in l974.  He worked for 30 years with the Rural Utilities Service at the United States Department of Agriculture. After retiring, Jerry became the executive director of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust.

His gracious manner and good humor will be missed by all who knew him. His great affection for local history inspired an impressive collection of historic documents and artifacts specific to Fredericksburg and Virginia. He remained a loyal University of Virginia supporter throughout his life. He held memberships in Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center, Fredericksburg Area Museum, the Civil War Trust and the University of Virginia Alumni Association.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Lou.  He is also survived by his brother, Bill Brent (Lila) of Reedville; his brothers-in-law, Bill Thornton (Linda) and Ed Thornton (Janet); his nieces and nephew, Holly Brent Moore (Rich), Stefanie Thornton, Jennifer Farrar (Chris) and Will Thornton.  He was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Mary Brent.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm Friday, June 20 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.

A graveside service will be held at 10 am Saturday, June 21, at the Fredericksburg City Cemetery on Washington Ave.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, Box 3417, Fredericksburg, VA 22402, or the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA, 10819 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22408.