Dakota "Cody" Holmes Denard-Brown

Dakota "Cody" Holmes Denard Brown, 30, passed away on January 17, 2024, in Knoxville, TN. Dakota was born on June 16, 1993, in Birmingham, AL, to Jennifer Christine Denard Brown. 

Dakota is survived by his parents T. Lynn Brown, Jr. and Jennifer Christine Denard Brown; his grandparents Lane L. and S. Christine Denard and Tony L. Brown, Sr.; his uncles and aunts Matthew and Corinne Denard, Darryl and Jeri Hill, Michelle Murray, Tim and LaSonya Brown; his siblings and nieces and nephews Payton Holmes and his wife Morgan, Taylor Brown, Sarah Brown, Kaylin Brown, Kelly Martin and her husband Adam, Nick Holmes and his wife Haley, Roslyn Martin, Bennett Martin, Everhett Martin, Savannah Martin, and Ben Holmes; his cousins Lauren Northcutt, Alden Denard, Rose Denard, Chidinma Falana and her husband Olumide, Johnathon Butler and his wife Taryn, Laura Beth King, Darren Brown and his wife Jordan, and Amanda Willis. 

Dakota is preceded in death by Judy Hill - grandmother, Jimmy Hill - step-grandfather, Gabe Martin - nephew

Cody was the kind of person you hoped you could be. He never forgot a birthday but couldn't remember yesterday. Cody never forgot an anniversary but couldn't remember what he was doing at the moment. He never forgot a person but couldn't remember if he took his medicine. He always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. He believed in God and his family, and there was a tie between music and the Razorback Nation. He met Coach Petrino once, and he became his favorite all-time coach. He was amazingly talented. He could sing the phone book but couldn't tie his shoes. He had such a clear sense of Right & Wrong. I don't know that I've met anyone who had so many medical problems and had every reason to be bitter or angry at life, but not Cody. He never let that get in his way. He got up every single day and gave all he had. 

Several years ago, he decided to call me Dad. At the time, I took it as part of dealing with a blended family but over the years, our relationship changed to father/son in every aspect. We learned from each other. I would watch in awe as he would sing or navigate his way around something musical but struggle with something as simple as brushing his hair. We had father-son talks that reminded me of an old TV show. He would struggle with an ethical dilemma, and I would do my best to help. Occasionally, I would pass him off to granddaddy. 

Dakota graduated from Hoover High School in 2011 and went on to attend Jefferson State Community College and received his degree from Pellissippi State Community College. Cody's dream was to be a music therapist helping chronically ill children through their hospital stays.

Visitation: Saturday, at 12:00 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home

Service for Cody will be held on Saturday, at 2:00 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home.

Burial: Jefferson Memorial Gardens East, AL. immediately following the service. 

Food will be served following the service at Connecting Pointe, 2305 Old Alton Rd, Birmingham, AL 35210

In lieu of flowers a scholarship fund in Cody's name is being constructed and will be available soon. Thank you to those who want to donate towards this. We will share information as soon as it s available.