Gary Garnell Kent was born December 28, 1948 in LaGrange, GA. He passed away June 26, 2008 at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. He is reunited in heaven with his parents, Albert W. Kent and Margaret Kent, and his sister, Faye Gaines.
Surviving loved ones include his wife, Linda Kent of Alachua, FL; daughter, Lori DeMerchant of Parkersburg, WV and her husband, Adam; step-son, Charles Davis, III of High Springs, FL and his wife, Holly; step-son, Dwayne Davis of High Springs, FL and his wife, Tiffany; brother, Albert W. Kent, Jr. of LaGrange, GA and his wife, Janice; grand-daughter, Jaelynn DeMerchant; step-grandson, Kyle Davis; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was a decorated US Army Specialist/Corporal Indirect Fire Crewman who courageously earned the distinguished Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged after 3 years of service due to a war inflicted injuries. After his service, Gary worked for Corning Glass for 11 years until he relocated to Georgia, and then later on to Florida. He will always be remembered as a kind-hearted, gentle man who had a love for the Lord, his family and friends, good Southern cooking and music. Gary never knew a stranger and touched the lives of everyone that he met. He is a truly special man who will be dearly missed.
Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care, 15381 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Florida 33760.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. Our families in Parkersburg, WV had been great friends for many years before Gary moved south. I have MANY happy memories of him playing Uno, camping, birthday parties, just socializing in general. He was a joy to cook for. Gary always had a story, a joke, and a good time. We will miss him, too. God bless you all.
He was a GREAT man, and he will be deeply missed. I know that he is no longer in any pain, and he is now reunited with his parents. My prayers go out to Lori and his family.
We are saying a prayer for you and your family.
I was so sorry to read about the passing of Gary. He was a good man and I will always remember how kind he was to me and my family when we lived beside each other in Pakersburg. You are in my prayers. Cindy