Beloved son, brother, cousin and friend passed away unexpectedly on February 16, 2026. He was 44 years old. Brett Adam Wolverton was born to Richard (“Dick”) & Linda (Cepak) Wolverton in Saginaw, Michigan on October 22, 1981. Brett grew up in Merrill, Michigan and graduated in the class of 2000 from Merrill High School. He earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Electronic Media/BRT from Delta College.

Finding words to properly honor a man’s life is an impossible task; yet for Brett, you need just three words…Take the picture.

A simple reminder, “Take the Picture” was the personal mantra that guided his life – a life cut short with far too many pictures still left to take. Brett’s love of pictures had little to do with photography and everything to do with the moments captured therein. A collector of memories, Brett’s social media posts were filled with snapshots of friends and family met along life’s adventures; almost always stamped with a date and often accompanied by a short story or two. (Many of which are inappropriate for print in an obituary.)

While “Take the Picture” was good advice for capturing a memory, it was really a reminder to make one in the first place. A simple decree that this moment — right here, right now — is all we’re promised. Brett didn’t just say it. He lived it. He filled the lives around him with love, bear hugs, and his world-famous “Bretty” Crocker baked goods.

But more than anything, he filled those lives with laughter, powered by a sarcasm-soaked wit he’d been honing since the very beginning.

His first “big boy” job was working at WNEM-TV 5 before joining the FOX Carolina News team in Greenville, South Carolina. He would spend the rest of his career there. Turns out the guy who was good at taking pictures wasn’t too shabby at video either.

Over his two decades at FOX Carolina, Brett’s work was nominated multiple times for Southeast Emmy Awards. As chief video editor, he brought professionalism and humor to the daily newscasts and was beloved by his colleagues. Soon after his passing, the station ran a story celebrating his life. No doubt he would have been pleased with how it was put together.

An active member of the community, Brett taught weekly water aerobics classes at the Greenville Aquatic Center and volunteered in the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign. Always donned, of course, in his red Santa hat.

And while his career was important to him, Brett Wolverton’s real love was the squared circle. For him, wrestling was always the MAAAAAAAAAIN event.

Since he was a kid, Brett consumed anything and everything wrestling he could get his hands on. Magazines, posters, toys, video games. He loved it. It was his passion.

Unquestionably, Brett was one-of-a-kind. But the thing that made him most unique is that most people grow up and give up on their dreams.

Brett never did.

Instead, he poured his life, soul, and weekends into Carolinas Wrestling and beyond. He was a true historian and spent years cataloguing and chronicling the results of every match at every event he attended. Even down to the miles he traveled. When it came to wrestling, he had an almost photographic memory. Ironic, to say the least.

A microphone in hand is where he shined. Brett served as a commentator and ring announcer across the Carolinas, bringing professionalism, wit, and unmistakable presence to every show he touched. He was a 12-time recipient of the Ring Announcer of the Year award at the Carolinas’ Professional Wrestling Awards. A testament to his excellence, consistency, and love for the craft.

While he was accomplished and respected for his ring announce work, his greatest achievement was never an award or a title. It was the people. The friendships. The family he built along the way.

Within hours of his passing, hundreds flooded social media to honor him, posting their own personal pictures and stories and sharing a remarkably consistent message: in a world filled with so many heels, Brett was a bona fide baby face.

A true good guy who made us smile. He made us laugh. He made us cookies. He made us Take the picture.

Brett is survived by his mother, Linda Wolverton; brother, Todd (Krystal) Wolverton; Uncles Tom Wolverton, Dave (Carol) Wolverton, Jim (Diane) Wolverton, and Aunts Nancy (Rick) Cross, Margaret Swarthout; Cousins Kathleen, Spencer, Dannielle Swarthout, Amanda Moulton, Brian Wolverton, Renee Sheppo, David II (Shanna) Wolverton, Jennifer (Doug) Vogel, Jason (Amanda) Wolverton, Jeremy (Bridgett) Wolverton, Adam (Sarah) Cross and Samantha (Zach) Cross. Good friends Bob, Carrie & Taylor Keller, Roscoe & Tonya Conklin, Bob & Crystal Dupuis, his “forever Gathering Prom date” Lacey Gwinn, The Goonies and so many more.

He was predeceased in death by his father, Richard (“Dick”); Grandparents Francis and Donna Wolverton, Julius and Rose Cepak; Uncle Tom Cepak; Aunts Margie Wicker and Trudy Wolverton; cousins Collette Parent and Erick Cross.

The family asks you always #TakeThePicture

The family kindly asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or consider memorial contributions to the family. Thank you for your support and kindness.

Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, at W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 125 E Saginaw St, Merrill, MI 48637. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at St. John XXIII Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 445 S Midland St, Merrill, MI 48637, where friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service. Rev. Fr. Sunil Pallela will officiate the service.

Please share your memories of Brett at the visitation and service or by visiting www.casefuneralhome.com.