BRENT MICHAEL SHORES

He lived. That’s all you really need to know about Brent Shores. From the moment he was born three months premature on September 27, 1986, to the moment he took his last breath on February 20, 2025, Brent lived. What is shocking to many, is that he wasn’t supposed to make it to 38 years old. Weighing in at just 1lb 12oz, doctors told his parents that his chances of surviving were slim. They said he wouldn't make it through his first year. But Brent lived. His chances of walking or talking were low, but he lived. And not only did he live, but many would say he thrived, living a life rich in love, adventure, and joy under the unwavering support of his father and mother, Mike and Cheryl Shores of Lockwood, MO.

Brent lived a life few could ever imagine. Every summer, the family embarked on a new adventure, whether it was to the beach, a national park, or simply riding the duck boat in Branson. Brent was always eager for the next trip, always ready to explore. He loved to travel! He’d beam with excitement at the thought of “riding an airplane high” or “sailing on a big, slow boat,” and he’d make sure to remind you of it over and over if you ever mentioned those adventures.

Brent lived for music. He always had his headphones on, grooving to songs that no one else probably even knew existed. More than anything, he lived for the moments that made life feel full—his infectious smile, his laughter, and his ability to make everyone around him feel better. He had an unparalleled gift for bringing joy to others. Whether performing his hilarious renditions of "Liar, Liar" or "Home Alone," singing, dancing, or just being the center of attention, Brent knew how to light up a room.

Brent had a unique way of drawing people to him, no matter where he was. Countless times, strangers would come up to him, only to realize they worked with children with special needs or had family members who reminded them of him. There was something magnetic about him, something that made people feel connected, even if they had just met.

Brent was deeply loved. His niece and nephew were always there to help, even when they teased him. They adored him—dancing, laughing, and sharing silly moments together. Brent’s older sister (his “Baba”) became his protector from an early age, and as she grew older, when people would ask what it was like having a brother with special needs, she’d simply reply, “He’s just Brent.” To her, he was no different from any other brother. They fought, argued, teased each other, and laughed, just like any siblings.

Brent’s family cherished him with every ounce of their being. They took him on countless rides in trucks, buses, tractors, side-by-sides, and boats. If they had a plane, Brent would have been in that, too. He was the apple of his parents’ eyes. Mike and Cheryl raised him as they would any child, making sure that everyone around him did the same. They loved and cared for him fiercely, and that love never wavered—not from the moment he entered this world until his very last breath. They stood by him through every challenge and celebration, always giving him the best of everything.

Brent is survived by his mother and father, Cheryl and Mike Shores of Lockwood, MO, his older sister, Natasha Hamlet (Justin) of Bolivar, Missouri, his niece and nephew, Brooklynn and Bodhi Hamlet of Bolivar, MO, and an extensive family of aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, and friends.

If you had the privilege of knowing Brent, you know what a special young man he was. He lived.

On February 20, 2025, Brent left this earth and ran into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No more pain. No more tears. Nothing to hold him back. He lives.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Round Grove Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Lockwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Round Grove Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made and payable to Lockwood High School for a Brent Shores Memorial Scholarship. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com. Services are under the care of Lockwood Funeral Chapel.