Keith James Kent, 43, a longtime Idyllwild resident, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2005 at Idyllwild Arts where he been employed as maintenance supervisor for nine years.
He was born in Beaufort, S.C., on Dec. 14, 1962 while his father was stationed as a U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor at the USMC Recruit Depot at Parris Island.
He attended El Modena High School in Orange until 1982.
He served from 1982 to 1986 in the Marine Corps, where he became a combat engineer. While in the USMC, he attained the rank of lance corporal. He was stationed both in the United States and overseas in Okinawa during his service.
Mr. Kent moved to Idyllwild in 1986 and worked for several employers before joining the staff at Idyllwild Arts.
He was involved in community athletic activities, including softball and basketball. He also was becoming involved in amateur radio programs on the Hill after qualifying for his technician’s class radio operator’s license in March 2006.
Mr. Kent was actively involved in the American Legion Post 800 as color sergeant in the Honor Guard. He was elected post commander in May 2006.
Upon becoming commander, he expressed a desire to involve the post in veteran’s affairs, especially in the American Legion Post 800’s Veterans Rehabilitation Program. He also embarked on a program to involve the post more fully in community projects.
Graveside services were held at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18 at Riverside National Cemetery. A memorial service was held the same day at 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 800.
Mr. Kent is survived by a son, Benjamin James Kent, 9, of Idyllwild; his partner, Pamela Lowe of Idyllwild; his parents, James Melbourne Kent, 72, and Patricia Arlene Kent, 70, of Pine Cove; and three sisters, Roxanne Marie Kent-Drury, 50, of Fort Thomas, Ky., Rhonda Lynn Kent, 48, of Brighton, Colo., and Katherine Lee Kent-Vasilis, 44, of Idyllwild. He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Jay Kent, in 1992.
Donations in Keith Kent’s name may be sent to American Legion Post 800, P.O. Box 800, Idyllwild, CA 92549, for the Veteran’s Rehabilitation Fund.