Brennen Mathues

November 16, 1990 - July 7, 2025

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” - Mark 5:36 NIV

A bright spark of joy from the moment he entered this world; a “go-go baby” whose curiosity, energy, and kindness never dimmed. As a boy, he could spend hours building intricate Thomas the Tank Engine tracks, running so fast on the football field that friends nicknamed him “Brennen the Blur.” That early passion for life only grew with time. From playing sports to exploring Japan in grade school, Brennen developed a deep love for the world and its people; a love that would shape every chapter of his journey. He carried that same wide-eyed wonder into adulthood, graduating with honors from Full Sail University in Florida, and then setting out to capture life’s beauty through photography, videography, and storytelling. 

Brennen’s life was an adventure in motion. He explored Europe, taught English and science in grade schools abroad, made films and documentaries, earned certifications in yoga and deep-water diving, and traveled across Spain, Thailand, Vietnam, Greece, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and every corner of the United States. Whether in the bustling streets of foreign cities or the quiet forests of home, he found joy in connecting with people, sharing stories, and seeking beauty in the everyday. Friends and family remember him flipping off boats in Florida, leading yoga classes with impossible grace, pushing stranded boats off sandbars, and laughing until the sun went down. Through it all, Brennen lived in the present moment, reminding us that life is a gift to be embraced, not a race to be rushed.

To honor his spirit and keep his love for nature alive, we are creating Brennen’s Forest, a living memorial nestled in the mountains of Colorado. Each tree planted will stand as a testament to his adventurous soul, his artistry, and his deep respect for the Earth’s beauty. This forest will be a place of reflection, joy, and healing; a space where those who loved him, and those who never met him, can be inspired by the way he lived: fully, generously, and with a heart open to the world. In planting and tending Brennen’s Forest, we carry forward his greatest lesson: to be present, to love deeply, and to leave the world more beautiful than we found it.