1958 – 2024
Kenton (Kent) Lee Zimmerman, 66, of Portland, Oregon, passed away from natural causes on August 31, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Gina Marie (Reale), and daughter Madison Marie.
Kent was born on March 13, 1958, in Troutdale, Oregon, and moved to the Garden Home neighborhood of Portland in the fifth grade. Following his graduation from Beaverton High School in 1976, Kent completed a four-year electrical apprenticeship, launching his lifelong career in the electrical field. From 1984 to 1996, he was a co-owner of Apple Electric in Malibu, Calif., and after returning to Oregon in 1997, held various managerial positions in the field before opening his own business, Access Electrical, in 2015, where he remained for the rest of his career.
In addition, Kent served as president of both the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and the Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon, and was a member of the Illuminating Engineer Society and the Northwest Trade Ally Network – Energy Trust of Oregon.
Outside of work, Kent loved to be outdoors, riding motorcycles – a sport he especially enjoyed with his daughter, Madi – as part of the Mt. Scott Motorcycle Club, and spending as much time as possible on the golf course – a sport he enjoyed several times a week with many of the close, lifelong friends he gathered over his lifetime. He even spent a year in the early ‘80s working as a golf pro for Progress Downs Golf Course (now RedTail Golf Center). Perhaps even more than his business accomplishments, Kent was proud of his five holes-in-one. He was also honored to be a 46-year member of the Elks Lodge.
Kent was predeceased by his mother, Wanda, and stepfather, Ray Coe; father, Oliver Zimmerman; and younger brother, Kevin Zimmerman.
Along with the wife and daughter he adored, Kent is survived by his stepbrother, Scott Coe; his cousins, nephew and nieces; and the scores of friends who will remember Kent for his easy smile, good-natured disposition and willingness to help others, even if it meant giving the shirt off his back. He truly had a heart of gold.
It came as no surprise that Kent wanted to be an organ donor, and the family wishes to thank the caring staffs of Cascade Life Alliance and Oregon Health & Science University’s Marquam Hill Campus for making such a difficult time a little easier through their kindness and compassion.
Family, friends and others whose lives Kent touched are invited to his Celebration of Life on Friday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Hillsboro Elks Lodge, 7553 NE Quatama St., Hillsboro, Oregon, 97124.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIOCOMPARTA
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