February 1, 1955 – Saturday, August 4, 2012
Service Information
Red Lake Community Center
Thursday, August 9, 2012
1:00 P.M.
Visitation Information
Red Lake Community Center
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
beginning at 10:00 A.M.
Earl Francis Sargent Jr., age 57, died in his sleep on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at his residence in Redby, Minnesota.
He was born on February 1, 1955 to Earl & Rose Smith Sargent in Cass Lake, Minnesota.
Earl lived his early years in Warroad, Minnesota and in 1965 moved to Bemidji, Minnesota.
He graduated from Bemidji High School in 1973. Earl excelled in high school sports for Bemidji High School and lettered in football, hockey and baseball. He was a pitcher for the Lumberjacks baseball team that won the State Tournament in 1973 with Earl throwing a no hitter in the first game of the tournament. Earl pursued his hockey career after high school by playing two years of junior hockey for The Fargo/Moorhead Sugar Kings where he was selected to play on The U.S. National Hockey team in Leningrad, Russia. Earl also played one year each in the minor hockey leagues for The Minnesota North Stars and The Detroit Red Wings. He played with teams in San Diego, Albuquerque and Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Earl loved spending time with his children and grandchildren! He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, golfing, playing softball, baseball and playing cards with his buddies.
Earl is survived by his children: Kayln (Douglas) Sargent of Red Lake, Minnesota, Cindy (Matt) Cobenais, special daughter: Romie of Red Lake, Minnesota and Jack Hoover of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; five grandchildren: Alise, Clayton, Bryleigh, Jack Jr. and Karissalyn; a brother: Gary (Janice “Jay”) Sargent of Bemidji; special friend: Roma Ryan and Sandy Cobenais; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Graveside services for Earl Francis Sargent Jr. will be held on Thursday, August 9th at 1:00 P.M. at Redby Episcopal Church Cemetery.
An all night wake will be held on Wednesday, August 8th beginning at 10:00 A.M. at The Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake.
Honorary Casket Bearers will be all of Earl’s sports teammates and fishing buddies: Mike Beaulieu, Gary Dudley, Peter “Barney” Thomas, Herman “Bobo” Fairbanks, Marvin Head, Gary Spears Sr., Ronald “Crusher” Hegstrom, Shaun Lussier, Joe Graves, Keith Donnell, Russell Smith and Arn Wood.
Casket Bearers will be Joey Beaulieu, Sam Roy, Doug Smith, John Cobenais, Matthew Graves and Dave Donnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.
The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted, Minnesota is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.chilsonfuneralhome.com
Earl; I never got to know you but always heard of your exploits in the sports program in Bemidji, MN. God bless and rest on!!
My heart and prayers are with my cousin Earl’s family. Sending my deepest sympathy and love. May the many wonderful memories you had together help you all in the weeks ahead. Love & Prayers, Cousin Ronda Sargent Estey, Grand Rapids, MN
Our sincerest condolences go to Earl’s family. My sons, Darin & Nathan and I have many good memories of him. May God welcome him home!! RIP my friend.
Deepest sympathy for Earl’s whole family. May your memories bring some comfort during this sad time! He will always be remembered for the good man he was and the awesome athlete. Rest In Peace EARL. You will be missed by all that had the honor of knowing you!
Had to be one of the very best guys I ever knew. RIP
Deepest sympathy & condolences to Earl’s family! He was an awesome man to watch playing softball and had a great sense of humor, too. May your great memories bring you comfort in the days ahead. He will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. Rest In Peace, Earl. Your memory will live on in all the wonderful people you touched!
My sincere condolences to Earl’s family. He was a good friend and a good fisherman that I enjoyed working with. He will be missed.
Our sincerest condolences go to Earl’s family from the hockey family in Albuquerque.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I didn’t know Earl but I do remember him when his Albuquerque Chaparrals would play here in Amarillo. Back then, there was chain link rather than plexi and the players could hear the fans. Earl would just grin no matter what was said to him. My friends & I just loved him, and I’ve never forgotten him even after .5 plus years.
Played hockey with Earl in Albureque. Great guy.
I played Men’s league hockey with Earl in Bemidji in the early 80’s. Earl was light years better than the rest of us. He was so dominant on the ice we all wondered why he wasn’t playing in the pros. Till I read his obit I did not know he was a star in football and Baseball too. As they say, gone but not forgotten. Earl was a humble superstar. I will never forget him.