Raymond Kent, 91, died Wednesday, Jan.19, 2011 at Emerald Groves Assisted Living Facility in Mesa, AZ of complications from pneumonia and COPD.
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Raymond “Ray” Reed Kent, the fifth child of Ray Adam and Clora Jane Schooler Kent, was born May 12, 1919 in Trenton. He attended Grundy County schools through junior high school, spent a year working in CCC camps and served in the United States Army from 1941 until his discharge in 1945.
On April 25, 1943, he was united in marriage to Wanda Marie Kemper at Assumption Catholic Church Rectory in Topeka, KS. She survives.
In 1946 he attended Horology (Watch Making) School in Bethany, and did watch repair until 1963. On Nov. 10, 1949 he and Mrs. Kent opened Kent’s Jewelry Store in Logan, KS and remained in that business until December 1952 when they opened Kent’s Clothing Store in Almena, KS.
While in Logan and Almena, as a business owner, he also was a school bus driver, city council member, chamber of commerce member, served on the school board, was a member of the volunteer fire department and a member of the American Legion.
In 1963 he and Mrs. Kent moved to Tucson, AZ, where he worked for the Arizona Department of Transportation as a record keeper in the test lab. He retired in 1982.
After his move to Tucson, he donated many volunteer hours for ELKS BPOE #2532 where he and Mrs. Kent enjoyed many Saturday nights having dinner and dancing with friends. He enjoyed playing bingo at the Eagles 180 and sometimes assisted with the Tucson Special Olympics. He enjoyed University of Arizona football and basketball.
In July 2003, he and Mrs. Kent moved to Mesa, to be closer to their family.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Lamonte Einspahr of Mesa; a granddaughter, Liz (Aldo) Arellano of Phoenix, AZ; a grandson, Raymond (Krista) Einspahr of Mesa; three great-grandchildren, Rylee Ann Einspahr, Isabella Marie Arellano and Sebastian Nicholas Arellano; two step- great-grandchildren, Nathan and Marcus Ray McDonnell; a niece, Marla Marshall of Trenton; and one nephew Jerry Kincade of Sun City, AZ.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Melvin, Willa-dean, Junior and Scott Kent; and sisters Mary Kent, Nellie Corbin Kizer and Deleta Kincade.
Donations may be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014.