Dan D. Kent was born September 8, 1928 in Trenton, Texas to Edward D. Kent and Flora Bell Dodson Kent. He died peacefully in Denison, Texas on June 19, 2017 after a brief illness at the age of 88.
Dan graduate from Whitewright High School before moving to Dallas to work as a fireman and engineer with the MKT Railroad. It was “just a job” he would say, and it lasted 41 years. He also served two years in the U.S. Army as a tank mechanic.
It was during his time in Dallas that he met Glenda Valjean Vaughan, and they were married on September 25, 1953. Dan was also a farmer and an avid fisherman. He was a member of the Whitewright Masonic Lodge #167 and a Past Master. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Whitewright.
Dan and Valjean had three children; son, James Edward “Nicky” Kent (Cindy) of Sherman, with whom he shared his mechanical ability; daughters, Danna Jean Serenbetz (Harold) of Palestine, Texas who inherited his love of animals; and Lisa Ann Harrison (David) of Luella, who was the recipient of many pancake breakfasts on Sunday mornings. He was also “Granddaddy” to April Huffman Mitchell, Kelli Harrison, David Harrison, Daniel Harrison,and Kayla Kent; four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Irene Skipworth of Shreveport, Mildred Ates of Abilene, and Gwen McClement (Dennis) of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Leon, Ralph and Ed; and sister, Eddie Louise.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 2:00pm at the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, Whitewright, Texas. Officiating the service will be Rev. Bill McFatridge. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Whitewright, Texas. Masonic Graveside Services will be performed by the Whitewright Masonic Lodge. Pallbearers will be David Harrison, Daniel Harrison, David Harrison II, Harold Serenbetz, Tim Skipworth, Russell Vaughan.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 from 6-8pm at the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Whitewright.
Memorials may be made to the Whitewright Masonic Lodge #167 or to SEEK Camp, seekcamp.org