Brent Hayden Gaffney

Brent Hayden Gaffney, 33, was born on September 1, 1981 in Carlsbad, NM to John K and Deborah L. Gaffney. He passed away on Friday, October 31, 2014 in Anchorage, AK from an as yet unknown medical emergency. When Brent was 4, the Gaffney family moved to the Albuquerque area, where he graduated from Moriarty High School in 2000. His love of flying led him to join the United States Coast Guard aviation section right out of high school. During his years of service, he supported many search and rescue missions and assisted innumerable people while enjoying the beauty of the west coast where he was stationed. After leaving the military Brent obtained his civilian helicopter pilot's license while living in San Diego and became an avid Chargers fan, continuing to follow the team even after moving to Anchorage, AK in 2007. He enjoyed the Alaska lifestyle, wildlife, beautiful scenery, and people. He was an avid Northern Lights and weather watcher and was his parents' Alaska earthquake advisor. He was preceded in death by grandparents: Gwen and Betty Brown and Blair Gaffney. He is survived by his mother, Deborah, Albuquerque, NM; his father, John (Meredith) of Gainesville, VA; brother, Ryan Gaffney, and wife Becky and son, Noah of Amarillo, TX; grandmother, Miriam Gaffney of Carlsbad, NM. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins and leaves behind many friends in Alaska and the "Lower 48". A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Dan Boyd officiating. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to the Paws and Stripes Foundation (http://www.pawsandstripes.org/) which provides service dogs for wounded veterans. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.