Barry Lee Brenard, 68, of Loleta passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2026, surrounded by his family and friends at his home on the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria in Loleta.
Barry was born to Donald Smith Brenard and Lois Joyce Rupert on September 20, 1958. He grew up splitting his time between Stewart, Carson City, Nevada, and logging camps from Humboldt to Northern Idaho. Growing up in the wilds of Idaho and Oregon, Barry was an expert gatherer, sharing Tribal stories and songs with his younger siblings while leading the little ones on some of the greatest adventures of their lives.
Barry is survived by his brother, George “Hank” Brenard; his sisters-in-law Joy Brenard and Elayne Andrew; his sister, Rhonda Gates; and his brother Jon Anthony Zimmerman Sr., along with his nephews Lloyd, Alex and William Brenard, Orlando Cervantes, Jon Jr., James, Joe and Jerrad Zimmerman, Kenny Thomas Jr., Michael Cain and Alex Nicon Smith; his nieces Kendra Thomas, Renezmae Brenard, Tenincha Brenard, Heather Nielsen, Danielle Stansbury, Krystal Dawn Brenard, Mariah Spotted Elk, Savannah Brenard, Stormy Brenard and Ruth Wortman; his great-nephews and nieces Maddox, Jo, Mari, Layne (Bubs), Aaniyah (Boo Boo), Eagle Ann (Sissy), Jayden (Bank), Honey, Redtail, Sequoya (Koya), Lovell, Lewis, Lyra and Orion; his cousins Derek Bowman, Ilene Cantrell, Alexis Bowman, Josefina Frank, Nachel Mell, Andy Ashley, Frances Ashley, Cassandra Curr, Jeff Bowman, Luckky Martinez, Robert Ellis and Steven Martinez; and all of the children of the Bear River Community that he mentored and taught.
Barry was loved and cherished by the entire Bear River Band, for which he served as a Council Member, Chairman and his favorite role, Cultural Coordinator. Barry is survived by numerous dear friends and family, including his beloved Nicole Olea, Maggie Wortman and Quincy Donald, who cared for him until the end.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Donald “Sparky” Brenard, Clay “Bo” Brenard, Lloyd “Rick” Brenard and Bruce “Lobo” Smith; and his beloved auntie Viola Brenard.
Barry fought hard for his sobriety and was passionate about passing on his culture and traditions. Barry was the last full-blood member of his Tribe. He was always there for everyone and served the local Tribal community every day for the last 4 decades of his life. He will be truly missed.
Barry’s family will host a celebration of life at his home in Loleta on Saturday, November 14, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m., and everyone is welcome to come and honor him.
The family will inter Barry’s ashes privately at a later date in accordance with his wishes.
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