At 5:49 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Dennis Haven Brigham passed away peacefully, holding his wife Beth’s hand, with his dear sister Audrey Brigham Thomas and his beloved sons Alexander, Nicholas and Blake Brigham gathered around him. He had just turned 61.

Our hearts and our lives are shattered, but we are so grateful that we got to love him for so long. Dennis gave so much of himself to others. His word was his bond. If he said he would do something for you, you could take it to the bank. He showed his love by cooking for you. His breakfasts were legendary, his steaks were works of art, and his grilled lamb could make you weep with joy. We are forever ruined for any restaurant experience because Dennis' cooking was ALWAYS better. Except for lemon cake from Legend’s Restaurant, which was his favorite. And he loved Friday night family dinners at Doni Italian Restaurant in Norman.

Dennis Haven Brigham was born on February 17, 1965, in Independence, KS to John Haven Brigham and Neva Gabbard Brigham. Dennis, his older sister Audrey, and their parents soon moved to Stigler, OK where Dennis and his best friend Kevin Cariker explored the woods and got into mischief. Dennis was the salutatorian of the Stigler High School class of1983; president of the student senate, yearbook photographer, and pole vaulted for the track team. Dennis was co-captain of the football team and was recognized as an All-Conference and All Area player as offensive guard and defensive end. Dennis attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, and the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

Dennis hated being tardy. He loved bacon. He constantly reminded us to "hydrate, hydrate, hydrate" and "that yard isn't going to mow itself." He loved a good road trip. He adored the latest Dune movies. He always, always gave the Jeep wave and he got so excited when another Jeep owner left him a duck. (IYKYK) He had a soft spot for making sure his older friends were taken care of. He loved 90's grunge music, reggae, David Bowie, and Mozart. He firmly believed that "Brand New Cadillac" by the Clash was the greatest rock song ever and would tell you why. His favorite song was "Crash into Me" by Dave Matthews.

Dennis believed with all his heart in the Rotary credo "Service Above Self" and he lived that motto daily; in everything he did. He secretly watched Forged in Fire - but declined our offer to build him a garage forge. He had the most amazing work ethic and gave 100 percent to any task he undertook. He worked for his mentors, Lionel and Lou Bentley, at Bentley Turf Farms for 40 years, and his day was made when he got to drive a tractor. When Lionel was ready to retire, Dennis and his partner Marc Bates bought the company. When people asked what he did for a living, he loved saying, "I sell grass" with a wink and an eyebrow waggle. He liked to say he was just a simple farmer, but we all knew better.

Dennis never met a dog he didn't love or who didn't love him back. He was addicted to traveling to Santa Fe and Ouray, Colorado. He adored his dad John Brigham, who predeceased him, and his mom Neva Gabbard Brigham, who survives him. He swore her lemon meringue pie was the best in the world. He was a history nerd. He found quantum physics fascinating. He swept his wife Beth off her feet when she was 18 and he was 21, joking that he "stole her youth" but I am so grateful he did! Dennis’ happy place was behind his camera, capturing images that told the story as he saw it in his mind. He was an incredibly talented fine art nature photographer.

https://essentialinsanitiesphotography.com/portfolios

Dennis was naughty. He was sassy and contrary. He enjoyed thinking up pranks. Most of his pictures from social events involved him flipping off the camera. He never missed a single musical murder mystery to benefit The Sooner Theatre of Norman, because he took great delight in his friend James Briggs' warped sense of humor. Our lives were filled with SO much laughter because Dennis made everything he did so much fun!

Dennis was passionate about making this world a better place. He devoted his time to so many organizations to help his hometown Norman grow and prosper, including serving on the board of the AIM Norman Area & Infrastructure Master Plan; as District Governor of Rotary District 5770; as past president of Crosstimbers Rotary; as past chairman of the City of Norman Parks Commissioners; as past president of the Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation; as sponsor of the University of Oklahoma chapter of Rotaract; on the Board of Directors for Prairie House Preservation Society; on the Board of Directors for the Visit Norman/Norman Sports Council; and as past president of the Norman Arts Council - his particular passion and whereby he met his "tribe" of fellow artists and art enthusiasts. (He loved you guys so much.) There are likely more we are forgetting, because when asked to serve, Dennis never said "No."

Most of all, Dennis was a wonderful father, husband, and friend. He was so proud of his sons that he would almost burst with pride and love when talking about them. He loved his sister Audrey Brigham Thomas and her husband Darren; nieces Emma Thomas and Kate Garrison and her husband Matthew Garrison and their new baby boy Cole; his nephews John Henry Thomas and Josh Hendricks, his mother-in-law Nancy Tague Tennant Adkisson and father-in-law Larry Adkisson; sister-in-law Sara Tennant Hendricks and her husband Clay Hendricks; more cousins than he could count; and his wife and soulmate Elizabeth Tennant Brigham. Dennis and Beth were blessed to share a life of fun, adventure, and laughter for 39 years. Dennis was a true and loyal friend. He adored and championed our dear friend Kim Conrad and delighted in his dear friends Shawn Arnold and Josh Hinkle. If you were his friend, you knew it. He would do anything for you. And did. If he loved you, he always accepted you for who you really are.

Grief is the price we pay for having known true love. Man, are we ever paying that price because we love Dennis so incredibly more than there are words in the thesaurus. He loved us so thoroughly and he showed that love to us all - in his actions and in his willingness to show up for whatever you needed him to do to help. That high price of grief is worth paying because we got to have Dennis in our lives.

We cannot even imagine a world without Dennis in it. But he would tell us to quit whining and just get on with it. So, we're gonna try. His family and friends hope you will join us in remembering the force of nature that was Dennis Brigham at his Celebration of Life. Dress however you want. Food, beverages, great music, and memories will be served, along with a gallery showing of Dennis’ fine art photography. Please come celebrate our beloved Dennis Brigham with us!

Saturday April 18th, 2026

3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Come and Go

MAINSITE Contemporary Art

122 E. Main Street

Norman, OK 73069