We sadly announce the passing of Carl ("Pete") Brennan of Fairfield Glade, TN on March 12, 2025, at the age of 98, surrounded at home by his wife Luanne & family.

Pete was born in Capac, MI on December 16, 1926, to his late father Kenneth Brennan & late mother Ruth Fischer. Pete was raised on the family farm until he graduated from Capac High School in June 1944. He attended his 80th Class Reunion in Capac last year. After high school Pete enlisted in the Army Reserve for ASTRP training. He attended the University of Illinois until January 1945. He entered active military service at Fort Sheridan, Illinois in February 1945 and completed Basic Training at Camp Fannin, TX. He then attended Penn State University in Army ASTRP until August 1945. Pete served as a private in the 63rd Quartermaster Training Company in Camp Lee, VA. He reenlisted & was assigned to Fort Monroe, VA & served as a sergeant in the Headquarters Detachment 1319th Army Service Unit until November 1946.

Pete attended Central Michigan University on the GI Bill, obtaining his BA, majoring in chemistry & math. Pete began his career at Huron Portland Cement Company of Alpena, MI as a laboratory control chemist in April 1950.

Pete was promoted to Lab Supervisor in 1959, became Assistant Chief Chemist in 1960, Superintendent of the Finish Division in 1962, Superintendent of the Kiln Division in 1964, Director of Manufacturing in 1974, & finally Vice President of Operations in 1981. When National Gypsum was purchased by LaFarge Corporation in 1987, Pete stayed on as a consultant until he retired in 1988. He also served on the Board for HPC Credit Union for several years.

Pete married Luanne Potvin Stepanski of Alpena, MI in 1988, and they moved to Fairfield Glade in 1992. There he helped organize the first Fairfield Glade Sportsman Club with several start-up members & served on their Board for 13 years.

Pete was an active deer & pheasant hunter, outdoorsman, fisherman, marksman, & enjoyed bird banding as a member of the Audubon Society. His farming know-how gave Pete a natural green thumb with flowers, trees & plants. He loved cooking, his blended family, nature, their dogs, & margarita at day's end. Pete excelled at crossword puzzles, computer gaming, & financial advising. Pete had a life-long, natural curiosity & thirst for knowledge. He is most remembered for his work ethic, patience, calm demeanor, egalitarian acceptance & willingness to try just about anything new. His motto: "Don't stop, just keep goin".

Pete is survived by his wife Luanne of 36 years, three daughters Christine Brennan of Ossineke, MI, Susan Hietala of Milwaukee, WI, and Barbara Dietz of Columbus, OH; half-sister June Stamman Ennis of Lapeer, MI; step-children Mary Stepanski of Charlottesville, VA, Chris Novota of Boca Raton, FL, Ann Stepanski of Alma, CO, Thomas Stepanski of Ringgold, GA, Stephen Stepanski of Crab Orchard, TN, 10 grandchildren (Ben, Vanessa, Blaze, Mia, Kevin, Sydney, Jada, Daniel, Anisa, Chase), & 5 great-grandchildren (Carson, Graelynn, Dalton, Laikynn, Ainsley).

Pete was preceded in death by wife Shirley McKerty Brennan of Ludington, MI, sister Betty Brennan Dobruk of Metamora, MI, & stepbrother Richard Clark of Howell, MI.

We extend sincere appreciation to Hospice of Cumberland County, & Dr. Sherrill & staff of Crossville for years of health care support.

A Celebration of Life for Pete will be held this summer in Lapeer, MI and Fairfield Glade, TN.