1983 - 2024
It is with profound sadness we write that our son, Brandon L. Kroepel, passed away suddenly with the love of his life, Kristen, by his side on the morning of June 8, 2024. Brandon had just recently celebrated his 41st birthday on May 5 with family.
Brandon was gifted with a very strong resilience to overcome and adapt. He survived a horrific car accident in 2001 that left him an 80% burn survivor and amputee. With his strong determination, he fought very hard for nine months in the UC Davis Burn Center, with his mother by his side, and many months of physical rehab along with too many surgeries to count for reconstruction, grafts, and so forth. He was always striving not to let his physical disabilities stop him from achieving his goals. Brandon was always able to overcome and adapt. The last thing he ever wanted was for anyone to feel sorry for him.
Brandon loved the outdoors and spent many years as a child and teen with his Grandpa Van in the mountains in surrounding mountain ranges. He especially loved spending time and learning as much about hunting and trapping from his father and all that entails. As a family, he spent much of his childhood camping, fishing, and hiking, and he had begun teaching his children to learn and respect outdoor life.
Brandon was most proud of his wife, Kristen, who he absolutely loved and adored. He was thrilled to become a father and took so much pride in Stratton, Killian, and Briar Reese. Brandon was also a self-proclaimed Mama's Boy. He was fiercely protective of his family and would do almost anything for them.
It should be noted that Brandon had a hilarious dark sense of humor. One time, during a follow-up visit to his burn specialist, he had mentioned that he wanted to know if it was ok to go swim at Lake Lahontan with his friends and since he only had one leg, would he end up swimming like a shark in circles? This is just a drop in the bucket of his humor.
Brandon leaves behind his wife, Kristen Kroepel, and his children, Stratton (12), Killian (5), and Briar Reese (2). He also leaves behind his parents, Chris and Tina Kroepel; his sister, Amber Thompson; nephews Brayden Castillo, Dorien, and Owen Warstler; grandmother Corinne Burroughs; aunt and uncle LeeAnn and Mark Wralstad; and cousins whom he was especially close to and loved, Evans, Garrett, and Isabella Wralstad of Virginia Beach. He also leaves behind many friends from Fallon and Elko, NV.
If anyone would like to donate to a charity in his name, Brandon supported the Wounded Warriors Project.
A Celebration of Life will be determined at a later date.
His passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of his family as they cherish every memory of their son.
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