Brent W. Bonar
June 29, 1962 ~ June 21, 2023
Brent William Bonar, age 60, died on June 21, 2023 with his loving wife Brenda at his side, in Jupiter, Florida. Brent’s death followed a courageous battle spanning seven months to recover from a traumatic injury.
Brent was born in Washington, Pennsylvania and graduated from McGuffey High School in Claysville, Pennsylvania, and then from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. His education and training carried him to great heights of accomplishment, quite literally, to outer space. Brent and Brenda met one another while working at a steakhouse in Washington, Pennsylvania. They married in 1984 – she was 18; he was 21 – a couple of “kids” who would take on the world together.
Beginning a career track that was always interesting, immediately upon obtaining his graduate degree in aeronautics, Brent moved to Florida where he and Brenda made their home in West Palm Beach. He eventually commuted daily to Miami to work with Eastern Airlines for 5 years. When Eastern dissolved in 1991, Brent, with Brenda, returned to Pennsylvania to work with US Airways for 20 years. Brent loved big jet propulsion and further increased his knowledge until a new opportunity wooed him back to Florida at Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach. Pratt &Whitney eventually divided into several companies, one of which was Aerojet Rocketdyne where Brent’s official title until the date of his death was Senior Space Propulsion Tech. His company contracted with NASA to work on the Space Shuttle engines before the program was retired in 2011 and, presently, Delta heavy rocket engines. Some of his workplace memberships and awards include:
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 971
- Community Service Committeeman
- Aerojet Rocketdyne 2019 Community Service Award (over 600 hours of service)
As adventurous as blasting rockets into the heavenlies was, Brent considered equally fulfilling the accomplishments of being of service to his community, both locally and worldwide. Brent was hard-wired to be a servant. And serve, he did… Brent fell in love with serving in the country of Haiti on his first missions trip at the age of 16! From that point on, his impact on the world grew and, eventually, many of his journeys were alongside his devoted wife Brenda. Most of his volunteerism occurred under the umbrella of his beloved Life Missions of Christ Fellowship Church. Some of his adventures in service include:
- Reconstruction in Mississippi post Hurricane Katrina 2005
- Construction of an orphanage in Costa Rica 2008
- Construction of an orphanage in Haiti after its devastating earthquake 2010
- Reconstruction in the Bahamas post Hurricane Dorian 2019
- Construction of log cabins in Alaska for Kids’ Summer Camps 2022
- Reconstruction in Ft. Myers post Hurricane Ian 2022
- Good News Fishing Ministry on Peanut Island with inner city youth for 10 years
- Big Heart Brigade and Christ Fellowship Church Thanksgiving community feeding project for approximately 10 years
- Christ Fellowship Traffic Ministry 10 years
- Christ Fellowship Top Gun Men’s Ministry Leadership
- Christ Fellowship Kaleo (n/k/a Leadership College) graduate
Brent did not know how not to serve. Even the parking lot at the local hardware store became a temporary mission field to him if he saw where he could assist loading materials for any random struggling person. Hesitation was not his forte. He viewed and did everything through the lens of a deep, abiding faith in Jesus Christ. He exuded love and respect for all.
A loving and devoted son, husband, and brother, Brent is survived by wife Brenda of 39 years, mother Carol Linden (David), mother-in-law Sarah Mull, sister Lori Mansfield (Myron), and brother-in-law Robert Mull, Jr (Debbie). Many of his extended family reside across Florida, the Carolinas, as well as Pennsylvania.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Fellowship South Campus, 5312 Northlake Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 10:00 am. Reception to follow at the Groot Center at Christ Fellowship North Campus, 5343 Northlake Blvd. A reception will follow immediately after the service. A second Celebration of Life will take place in Pennsylvania at a time and location to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to:
- Christ Fellowship Life Missions (christfellowship.church)
- Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation (t2t.org)
- Big Dog Ranch Rescue (bdrr.org)
- International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (ifcj.org)
Just one last “da’Burgh” thing that Brent would have no other way… Here we go Stillers!
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Brian Meade - Friend
June 28, 2023, 2:49 pm
Sylvia and I are very saddened to hear of Brent’s passing. We served alongside him and Brenda at Turkey Town, several outreach missions, and KALEO. He was a true servant leader with a huge heart. He was also one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He was always smiling and always positive. We will miss him dearly, but we know he is in heaven talking to Jesus and experiencing love and joy we all look forward to. God Bless Brent, Brenda, Carol, and the entire Bonar family
Reta Chisholm - Friend
June 28, 2023, 3:07 pm
My sincere condolences to Brenda, Carol and all of the family!! May God comfort you in your loss.
Randy Lundi - acquaintance
June 28, 2023, 3:32 pm
my condolences to Brenda, Carol and David
Marilyn and Jim Williams - Dear friends
June 28, 2023, 4:54 pm
Dear Brenda and Family, Brent was a world changer, never content to take a back seat to the action of missions and ministry. He was one of those “roll up your sleeves and get it done” kind of guys behind the scenes. It feels so impossible that our super human Brent did not, in the end, overcome that which he battled so valiantly. I like thinking that he went on ahead, probably scouting out a new well he can dig or a mansion for some new saint’s arrival. However heaven works, I am pretty sure Brent is in the thick of figuring out where he’s needed next.
Our hearts are heavy and we miss him dearly.
Darrell Andrew Watson - Long time Friend (50 years)
June 28, 2023, 6:14 pm
When I was young Carol(his mother) was my Sunday School Teacher. Went to Church with His Sister Lori, Carol and Brent. To me Brent could only be summed up in once word: ’Charisma!’ While attending the viewing of my Cousin Little Dale Carson(Brent and Brenda were there! Across the room we saw each other then like a charging Bull here comes Brent to shake my hand and we shared kind greetings! My prayers, thoughts and hopes go to Brenda, Lori, Carol, Immediate family and all of his peers, colleagues and friends. What a guy, what an impact on our worlds! If Sinners become Saints through Jesus Christ shed blood and us receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior… I would want Brent to be an angel protecting me… call him; “Charisma !”. Thanks for your friendship. “May our Heavenly Father assuage Your/Our grief and leave You/Us all with only memories of love and laughter You/We shared! In Jesus Name
-Darrell Andrew Watson-
Claysville, Pennsylvania
Bruce Vogt
June 28, 2023, 7:01 pm
Carol
What a wonderful son. I am so sad for you and pray that God be gentle with his soul and to comfort you and the family
Lise Woods - Carol's acquaintance
June 28, 2023, 7:25 pm
Brent has lived a full life. It seems that he accomplished a lot in his lifetime. I didn’t know him myself but he seemed to be very devoted to his mission.
He’s in good hands now with no worries or sorrows. God bless him.
Jonathan HYPPOLITE - Friend/ brother
June 28, 2023, 8:27 pm
Brent ,Jimmy and I were three good friends who met in an international youth camp in Montrouis, Haiti in July 1978 that was sponsored by Christian World Outreach.His passing has definitely shocked us. As we grieve his departure we also know where he is at this moment knowing we will soon meet again.Our sympathy goes to all the family members and friends who are affected by his death.As such , on behalf of Jimmy Ramey myself and the Hyppolite family we sent our profound thoughts of sympathy and condolences to all of the affected families!
Douglas and EVADNEY WILLIAMS
June 29, 2023, 12:50 pm
Douglas and Evadney our deepest condolences to lady Corals Linden and family your sons life is an example we should all follow he shows us how we should serve the Lord and other around us God bless him and may his souls rest in peace
Elizabeth Wells
June 29, 2023, 10:18 pm
Carol, your son sounds like such a wonderful man. I’m sure you are proud of the life of service he lived. Prayers for you, dear lady.
❤ Libby Wells
Carol Linden - Mother
July 1, 2023, 1:21 am
As Brent’s Mother I will say that he was a delight and a joy his entire life, never caused me any problems. His message on his answering machine was “What can I do for you?” Our loss is tremendous but we know that he is in Heaven with Jesus.
Carol Linden
Sue Melanson - Sister in Christ
July 1, 2023, 1:52 am
Carol my heart holds you in my prayers God bless you and comfort you. Love to you.
Teri Byers Jackson - Friend of the family
July 1, 2023, 10:43 pm
Carol was my hair dresser as a child ..I knew Brent and Lori as long as I can remember..Brent was always a very great person inside and out.helped everyone he could. I wish Brenda,Carol and Lori my deepest sympathy in the passing of Brent.
Claudette Hyppolite - Daughter
July 2, 2023, 7:12 pm
I am sorry for your loss Mom Carol, sorry I couldn’t be there to give you my support but I know God will give comfort and courage. I keep you in my prayers, love always my dear. Jonathan will represent me also. Thanks for your understanding.
Lori Mansfield - Sister
July 5, 2023, 1:41 pm
One of my brother Brent’s favorite words was treasure. Brent was truly a treasure to all who were blessed to know him. Brent had a beautiful servant’s heart, on a mission to serve others. What I will cherish and miss the most is Brent’s beautiful smile, his joy and laughter. We won’t say, “later” we will see you again in Heaven. This is unimaginable loss for my Sister Brenda, Mom, Family and Friends.
Kelly J. Rabbitt - Friend of Family
July 6, 2023, 3:06 pm
He was a sparkling man on this earth, no doubt, because I know his mother Carol, and she shines! Much love and comfort to his family.