Brent D. Ullery

Nov. 6, 1973 to Aug. 26, 2026

Brent D. Ullery, 52, former Stillwater resident, died in Lindsay, OK, on Aug. 26, 2026. A memorial service for Brent will include honor and hope for those who genuinely work to improve the lives of individuals and families who deal with mental illness/brain disorders. This will be at the First Presbyterian Church, 524 S. Duncan, Stillwater at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, and will be led by Emeritus Pastor Gordon Edwards and Transitional Pastor Peter Olson.

____________________________________

Brent D. Ullery, known by classmates for his love of math and physics, died in Lindsay, Ok, on Aug. 26, 2026. He was chairman (usually called president) of the first graduating class of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Oklahoma City in 1992.

His quick wit, quiet humor, and thoughtfulness of others throughout his life were enjoyed by his family, classmates, and others as well. He earned numerous academic awards such as National Merit Scholar and a full-ride scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, Norman. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing; teasing and laughing with his brother, sister, and friends; and reading science fiction and many math- and science-based books.

Brent was born on Nov, 6, 1973, in Corvallis, Ore., to Jackie Ullery Dahlgren, Stillwater, and the late Charles H. Ullery, Brookings, S.D. Brent’s siblings are Andrea Graves, Stillwater, and Craig A. Ullery, Hennessey. Craig’s family includes wife Jennifer and daughters Claire and Laura. Brent is deeply missed by them as well as friends around the country and extended family mainly in Ohio.

At age 19, bizarre actions from severe psychosis stemming from improperly treated schizoaffective disorder led to the next 33 years of Brent being incarcerated at 19 different correctional facilities in Colorado and Oklahoma.

After receiving effective treatment, he spent most of those years earning many journeyman’s licenses so he could work in prison heating and air conditioning capacities. Attending a class was not an option so he would get those licenses by simply studying a book and then taking a test. He often helped others do the same. He was most proud of his contractor’s licenses in Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical. He earned less than $50 per month for that work for approximately 28 years. He said that this was the closest he could get to physics and math in that environment and was a way for him to give back.

Behind that work he had a quiet facade of helping other mentally ill persons whenever he could. He taught a few classes in prison. He was often thinking about how things could be improved for those with neurobiological brain disorders in prison but he seldom complained. Many have spoken about his unending creative thinking and desire for more world-wide education for solving such problems. He is credited for saving two lives.

His own health deteriorated rapidly in the past two years, resulting in death from pneumonia developing from severe Parkinson’s disease and frontal temporal dementia.

Over the years Brent was a background encourager to the National Alliance for Mentally Ill – North Central Oklahoma affiliate in Stillwater. The group has donated numerous food and toiletry items for high need persons with brain disorders in various facilities locally and the Joseph Harp Correctional Facility, Lexington, where Brent was mainly housed the past 20 years.

In lieu of flowers, guests who are able and wish may bring to the service shelf stable food and/or toiletries which local National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) volunteers will distribute to those in need. Monetary donations can be written to NAMI-North Central and brought to the service. Or, donations can be made electronically to NAMI Oklahoma at: https://namioklahoma.org/getinvolved/donate/