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Henry

Henry Kent

d. March 19, 2019

Henry Warrington Kent, 1st Lieutenant, passed away peacefully in his Webster Groves MO home at the age of 96, March 20, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Jacksonville Illinois, beloved husband, for 75 years, of Mildred Aileen Kent (nee Mason) dear father of Constance Hovis, Catherine Shreves, William Kevin (Lisa) Kent, Karen (Kurt) Waller. Preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Rachael Kent and sister Dorothy Kent.

Loving grandfather of David (Kristi) Price, Michael (Becky) Price, Amy (Charlie) Shreves, Kimberly (David) Fruits, Timothy (Lulu) Shreves, Morgan Feeney, Caitlyn Feeney, Justin (Denise) Kent, Jessica Kent, Jennifer (Luke) Lewis, Cassie (Tim) Packard, Casey (Torri) Kent, Kevin Lee (Aricka) Kent, Katie Kent, Kelli Kent, Clark Kent, Katrina Kent, Nicholas (Lauren) Waller, Jordan (Stephen) Waller, and Henry Luce. Proud Great Grandfather of Noelle (Steven) Stanley, Brent (Nancy) Price, Katelyn Kent, Carly Fruits, Ethan Kent, Isabella Lewis, Mason Fruits and Liam Kent. Great great Grandfather of Aubrey Price.

A fighter pilot in WWII, Lt. Kent flew over 140 missions earning the European/African/Middle Eastern Ribbon, 9 Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal, 8 oak leaf clusters and American Defense Ribbon. Lt. Kent was deployed in 1942 with the RAF under Montgomery (Monty) chasing Rommel through the North African Desert in his P40 , P47, finishing up with Patton, escorting bombers in the invasion of Sicily in his P51 (Mustang) permanenting leaving his post in Miami, June 1945. He successfully navigated being shot down 2 times crediting the planes of course in keeping him alive. After declining a permanent post, he moved onto his creative side as a cartoonist (Denver post) then his most rewarding professional achievements as an educator and engineer.

Post war Mr. Kent taught Science and/or Physics at North Greene HS, Whitehall, Illinois; Southwestern HS, Piasa, IL; University City HS, U City, MO; Nerinx Hall, Webster Groves MO; Lafayette HS, St. Louis, MO; CBC, Clayton, MO; Meramec Valley College, Kirkwood, MO; UMSL, St. Louis, MO; Fontbonne College, Clayton, MO; Starting the AVIONICS Program at Parks College, the SLU Aeronautical school of engineering. In his spare time, he worked several decades with McDonnell Douglas and Emerson Electric using that beautiful mind working on the F15 and F18 Jet Fighters. Lt. Henry Warrington Kent’s lifetime achievements were 75 years with his beautiful wife, Millie Kent along with their 4 Children, 20 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren. Lt. Kent resided in Jacksonville Illinois until volunteering for the Army Air Corp., resided in Denver Colorado for 10 years, Whitehall Illinois then becoming long term resident of Webster Groves Missouri for 50 years while commuting to his retirement home of Bakersfield, CA for over 25 years.

Burial for family and friends will be held on April 8th, 2019 at 11am, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery meeting at the Welcome Center 10:45 am with service to follow at 1pm,

Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, W.45 Lockwood Blvd, inviting all veterans. Tributes can be made to: Henry & Mildred Kent Foundation benefitting PTSD veteran services, PO Box 191033, St. Louis, MO 63119
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