Herman J. Kent, 99, a resident of East Wenatchee for over 65 years, passed away Friday, April 17, 2009 at Highline Care Center.
He was born on August 7, 1909 at Newburg, Arkansas to the late Dr. John Frank & Rosa Dovie (Smith) Kent. He was raised and graduated from high school at Newburg, Arkansas. He worked at a variety of jobs including his fathers drug and general store, wheat harvests in Kansas, on a surveying team and in the cotton fields, prior to going to work for the Postal Service.
He was married to Maxine Smith at Melbourne, Arkansas on December 25, 1935. They continued to make their home in Newburg where Herman later became Postmaster. When the war effort began, they moved to Marietta, Georgia and Herman worked on the construction of B-17 Bombers, which were being supplied to the allied forces. In the early 1940's they moved to East Wenatchee and he went to work for Ox Team Orchards prior to becoming Foreman at the American Fruit Ranch. He later returned to the United States Postal Service as a Postal Carrier and continued working for the Post Office until retiring in 1976. Following his retirement, they spent time travelling with their RV to California on a number of occasions, to visit their family. On July 24, 2005 he was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine.
Herman was a longtime member of the Okanogan Street Church of Christ and the King's Orchard Church of Christ. He enjoyed gardening especially his roses, and had a collection of seeds from the south. He was an avid fisherman and would tie his own flies during the off seasons.
He is survived by one son & daughter-in-law, Leon & Sue Kent, Fortuna, CA; two daughters & sons-in-law, Marcella & David Hodges, Shoreline, W A & Joan & Mike Cross, Rancho Cordova, CA; eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; his son, Frank Kent; two grandchildren, Ginny Green & Bryan Kent; three sisters, Nola Kent (an infant), Ethel Brockwell & Jewell Blankenship; and one brother, Junie Baker Kent.
Services were held at the Graveside in Evergreen Memorial Park on Tuesday, April 21st at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Bob Lenderman officiating. Please sign in or leave a memory for the family online by visiting www.heritagememorialchapel.com.