Gerald Kent
Gerald (Jerry) Kent passed away April 18, 2018 after a short and courageous battle with cancer. He was born to Walter and Mildred (Dilley) Kent on September 5, 1931 in Grand Ledge.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Anne (Smith) Kent; his daughters, Kristine (Jeff) Hynes, and Teresa (Tom) Gloden; brother, Wayne (Nancy) Kent; sister-in-law, Mary (Smith) Wadsten; grandchildren, Kiel and Brett Gloden, Stephanie (Corey) Thelen, Rebecca (Spencer) Duits, Jennifer (Kojo) Enu, and Kelly Hynes; great-grandchildren, Teamana and Ra’ihau Eugenio; Kara Thelen; Jak Duits; Chase, Ryder and Carter Gloden.
He was predeceased by his son, John Kent in 2010.
Jerry attended the Figg Elementary School in Sunfield, Woodland High School in Woodland, and graduated from Nashville High School in 1949.
Jerry joined his dad, Walter, a Standard Oil Agent, in 1950 and took over the Agent route in 1965. In 1976, Jerry and Anne became independent business owners of Kent Oil and Propane and retired from the business in 1996.
Jerry served on the Nashville Fire Department for 32 years, assisted the Nashville Police Department on weekends, served on the Nashville Village Council, and drove school bus for the Nashville school system. He also served as a sergeant in the Michigan National Guard from 1949 to 1956.
Jerry prided himself in serving his customers for 47 years, and enjoyed boating, deer hunting with his family (especially his brother Wayne), spending time with his family at the Kent Cabin at Higgins Lake in the 50s and 60s, spending time at the family cottage at Mitchell Lake from 1986 until it was sold in 2016, playing cards with friends, camping, going to the casino, golfing and mowing lawn on his John Deere.
Jerry was well respected and will be remembered as a hard-working and kind gentleman.
A funeral service was held on Monday, April 23, 2018 at St. Cyril Catholic Church in Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 715, Nashville, MI 49073 or St. Cyril Catholic Church, Nashville, MI.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details, please visit danielsfuneralhome.net.