Brett Charles Flowers
March 27, 1979 - October 6, 2006
Brett & Jennifer Flowers at the Irish Lion
Brett was born March 27, 1979 in Bloomington, Indiana to Irvin Charles and Debra Kae (Schenck) Flowers. After graduating from Bloomington North High School, he attended Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. Following a brief move to Tennessee, he returned to Indiana to live with his mother and grandparents in Pittsboro. Brett moved back to Bloomington to be closer to his friends and to resume his college education. Over the years, he has worked as a computer technician, artist, salesman, manager, and in the service industry. Brett enjoyed a broad spectrum of interests. He created artwork in a variety of mediums (particularly pencil drawings), read science fiction and fantasy novels, enjoyed computer games and pen-and-paper role playing games, participated in KaNaR and other LARP events, enjoyed music while driving well above the speed limit, and spent much of his time in the company of his many close friends. He was enthusiastic and creative in all of his endeavors, and was well loved by all who knew him.
Surviving him are his Mother: Debra Kae (Schenck) Flowers; Sister: Jennifer A. (Albert) Dyer; Grandparents: John R. & Rae Schenck; Aunt: Bonnie (Randy) Duley; Uncle: Jeff J. (Patricia) Schenck. He was preceded in death by his Father Irvin Charles Flowers.
IRISH LION UPDATE: From Jennifer - This is the informal "wake" we all talked about on Tuesday for Brett at the Irish Lion in Bloomington. I'm not looking up their address, 'cause if you don't know where it is, that's really sad. :) Anyhow, here's the deal:
PLACE: The Irish Lion, Bloomington
DATE: THIS Friday, yes it's the 13th
TIME: 2pm (1400 for you military types) until we are done!!!
The reservation is under FLOWERS (duh), I have it set up for seperate checks for everyone, but they will probably add a gratuity or something. I set up the reservation for 20 to 25 people, so it would be cool if at least that many people showed! Let's send Brett off the way he'd want us all to, and knock back a pint of Guinness in his name!!
Thanks again so much for everyone's love, thoughts, and emotions, and the turnout at his funeral was amazing, we were all blown away. We all loved him, though, right?
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Photographs provided by Greg Boles
Every once in awhile we comment on how we should call Brett just to catch up. I am sorry we didn't do that now. I know that I didn't always see eye to eye with Brett when we were all roommates, but one thing I always respected was his compassion to see both sides of an argument, and to stay neutral. As a professional artist myself, I was always inspired by Brett's artwork. I can still see him walking down 7th street at ISU carrying his big black portfolio, When we would drive by he would always wave to us. And then when he got back home that evening, he would always share his artwork with Brian and I. I have to admit I was envious of his creativity at times. He was so much fun to be with too. And then there were times that he would sit down and we would talk about our problems. It was hard being on our own for the first time, and he was always there to talk to everyone and work things out.
Billie Boone
It's hard to write this, because it feels like to do so is giving up. Like somehow, if I don't, it didn't happen. Brett was a good friend. He was easy to be around - funny. Just hanging out with him lifted your spirits. I run one of the LARPS that he was involved in, and all of the pictures I have of him are from that. He was creative, versatile, energetic, compassionate and always great fun. He was well loved by all of the others players there, and he will be missed more than I alone can say. Brett had a rare talent for making it fun for you to be you. I miss you already Brett, but my memories will always make me laugh and let me hang out with you at least a little.
Michael Williams
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Brett decked out in his KaNaR costume
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Brett, 2004 (Click Pictures for Larger Images) Photographs provided by Bridget Murray |
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Brett and Jennifer Flowers dressed as each other for Halloween, 1999
Photographs provided by Adam and Karen Sweeny
I've known Brett since middle school. Fifteen years, I think its been. All that time he has been like family to me, like a brother. In high school, he'd join us for the holidays after celebrating with his own family. The word friend doesn't begin to describe all of the things that he has been to me. He is the cornerstone of some of my fondest memories.
Now he is dead, and it all still feels like a dream that I will snap out of tomorrow morning. I was calling friends to let them know and my eyes kept wandering back to Brett's number. I wanted to call him and tell him the big news. I did end up calling, just so that I could hear his voice on the answering machine and lie to myself for that brief moment, feeling that I could leave a message and he'd call me back. If I keep hitting redial over and over again, his lungs will keep pumping and his heart will keep beating, but I know that isn't the case. One of these days, the number will be disconnected, and the reality of it all will strike to the core.
Brett was one of the most compassionate human beings I've ever known. He was quick to forgive and always capable of empathy. He felt for others without reservation and gave his loyalty without question. He was a talented man and an amazing artist. I feel privileged to have worked with him on two issues of Halcyon magazine. It means a great deal to me that his work saw print, that there are people out there who never knew him as a person but who have appreciated him as an artist through the wonderful cover art that he created. I will remember him for as long as I live.
Brett did not enjoy an untroubled life nor one as long as any of us would have hoped for him. Still, any man who could love and be loved like Brett Flowers has enjoyed a rich life and left a lasting legacy.
Derek Kagemann
Email Derek Kagemann at freelance@mediaogre.com if you require any additional information or if you would like to contribute any pictures or sentiment to this page.