1912
James
2008
James Arthur Kent, Sr.
August 9, 1912 — April 11, 2008
James Arthur Kent was born on August 9, 1912 in Carolton, Mississippi to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kent. He was the only child that resulted from this union, as his mother passed when he was 19 months old. Jack Kent soon remarried and James soon became the oldest brother of seven children. He was known to them as "Bubba". He spent the next 30 years of his life in Carolton, Mississippi as a sharecropper and farmhand. His earliest call to servitude came when he was needed to take care of his father and stepmothers aging parents. It was during this time that he met and married Cynthia. This union was blessed with one son, Willie. His marriage to Cynthia was tragically cut short when Cynthia succumbed to Rheumatic Fever.
His next call to service came in 1942 when World War II broke out. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he was a skilled rifleman and received the highest ranks that a marksman could get. He served with the military police, in Oakland, California and in St. John's, Oregon.
After his three years of service in the military, he met and married Ruby Garnet Bagley. It was at this time that James started his new vocation as a self employed landscaper, so that he could provide for his family of Ruby's five children. This union was blessed with one son, James Arthur Kent, Jr. His landscaping business thrived with affluent clients, such as Dick and Molly Kohmstamm, of Timberline Lodge, and famed cardiologist, Dr. St. Pierre. They spent the next 40 years happily married.
He was a very light hearted, good natured person who was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Some of his favorite past-times included going to see Portland Wrestling, spending time with his grandkids, hosting parties for his friends, and drinking lemonade on his front porch. His philosophy of life was to treat people better that they expected and deserved with no hidden agenda.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruby; his two sons, Willie and James Jr.; and his brother, Jack.
James passed away on April 11, 2008 at the age of 95. He is survived by his brothers: Reginald and L.V. Kent of Carolton, Mississippi; sisters: Clotyle Palmer, Evelyn Kent and Doris Norse; Ruby's children Jackie, Sherlene, Connie, and Leo Grandchildren: Steven, Willie Jr., Derrick, James, and Kevin. He is also survived by a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and very dear friends.
His next call to service came in 1942 when World War II broke out. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he was a skilled rifleman and received the highest ranks that a marksman could get. He served with the military police, in Oakland, California and in St. John's, Oregon.
After his three years of service in the military, he met and married Ruby Garnet Bagley. It was at this time that James started his new vocation as a self employed landscaper, so that he could provide for his family of Ruby's five children. This union was blessed with one son, James Arthur Kent, Jr. His landscaping business thrived with affluent clients, such as Dick and Molly Kohmstamm, of Timberline Lodge, and famed cardiologist, Dr. St. Pierre. They spent the next 40 years happily married.
He was a very light hearted, good natured person who was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Some of his favorite past-times included going to see Portland Wrestling, spending time with his grandkids, hosting parties for his friends, and drinking lemonade on his front porch. His philosophy of life was to treat people better that they expected and deserved with no hidden agenda.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruby; his two sons, Willie and James Jr.; and his brother, Jack.
James passed away on April 11, 2008 at the age of 95. He is survived by his brothers: Reginald and L.V. Kent of Carolton, Mississippi; sisters: Clotyle Palmer, Evelyn Kent and Doris Norse; Ruby's children Jackie, Sherlene, Connie, and Leo Grandchildren: Steven, Willie Jr., Derrick, James, and Kevin. He is also survived by a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and very dear friends.
Homegoing Service
Life Change Christian Center
3635 Northeast Williams Avenue
Portland
,
OR
US
97227
Thursday, April 17, 2008, 4:00 PM
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