James B. Kent

Lt. Col. James Byron Kent, USAF (Ret), age 69 of Beavercreek, passed away February 25, 2014 at his home following a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Margarita (McDonald) Kent. Four children also survive him: James B. Kent II and wife Sheryl, Michael G. Kent, Michelle A. Kent and Jacqueline M. (Kent) Griffin and husband Ryan. Two brothers also survive him: Drs. Patrick D. Kent and wife Mary Ann and Michael J. Kent and wife Jana. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Noah, Grace, Zak, Lilia and Gavin Kent and Byron, Clara and Georgiana Griffin, as well as many nieces and nephews in the US, UK, Costa Rica and Panama’. James was born January 20, 1945 in Youngstown, OH to the late Byron F. and Catherine J. Kent. He joined the Naval Reserve while in high school and served in the US Air Force beginning during the Vietnam War and retiring after 24 years of service; he became the Director of Logistics at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base after serving at several bases in the US and abroad. He was a graduate of Steubenville College and a proud Kappa Alpha TEKE. He was a co-proprietor, with his father, of Lickhill Evergreens Christmas Tree Farm near Chillicothe, OH and of the Kent Development Group in Dayton’s South Park Neighborhood with his sons James and Michael. He was also a volunteer auditor at St. Luke Credit Union and an active Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus for more than forty years. Friends may call at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-Beavercreek Chapel, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd. at Grange Hall on Friday evening, February 28 from 4-8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Luke Catholic Church at 10 AM on Saturday, March 1, 2014 by Fr. Terry Schneider. Disposition will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kent Memorial Scholarship Fund in James’ memory at Carroll High School.