Raymond R. Kent

Raymond Kent, 91, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at Emerald Groves Assisted Living Facility in Mesa, Arizona of complications from pneumonia and COPD. Raymond "Ray" Reed Kent, the fifth child of Ray Adam and Clora Jane Schooler Kent, was born May 12, 1919 in Trenton, Missouri. 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, Ray and Wanda Marie Kemper were married at Assumption Catholic Church Rectory in Topeka, Kansas. To this union, one daughter, Connie, was born. In 1946 he attended Horology (Watch Making) School in Bethany, Missouri and did watch repair until 1963. On November 10, 1949 he and Wanda opened Kent’s Jewelry store in Logan, Kansas and remained in that business until December, 1952 when they opened Kent’s Clothing Store in Almena, Kansas. 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, member of the volunteer fire department, member of the American Legion and active in all matters pertaining to the small towns. In 1963 he and Wanda moved to Tucson, Arizona where he worked for the Arizona Department of Transportation as a record keeper in the test lab until retiring in 1982. After his move to Tucson he donated many volunteer hours for ELKS BPOE #2532 where he and Wanda enjoyed many Saturday nights with dinner and dancing with friends. Bingo with Eagles 180 was one of his special projects after his retirement and he sometimes assisted with the Tucson Special Olympics. He enjoyed University of Arizona football and basketball. In July, 2003 he and Wanda moved to Mesa, Arizona to be closer to their family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray & Clora Kent; brothers; Melvin, Willadean, Junior, and Scott Kent and sisters; Mary Kent, Nellie Corbin Kizer and Deleta Kincade. He was a kind and devoted husband, a loving father, treasured grandfather, a loyal friend and neighbor and always a "gentleman". He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife Wanda, his daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Lamonte Einspahr of Mesa, Arizona; Granddaughter, Liz (Aldo) Arellano of Phoenix, Arizona, and Grandson, Raymond (Krista) Einspahr of Mesa, Arizona; three great-grandchildren, Rylee Ann Einspahr, Isabella Marie Arellano and Sebastian Nicholas Arellano; two step great -grandchildren, Nathan and Marcus Ray McDonnell one niece Marla Marshall of Trenton, MO and one nephew Jerry Kincade of Sun City, AZ. Donations may be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014. To leave condolences please visit www.mariposagardens.com. Arrangements entrsuted to Mariposa Gardens (480) 830-4422